If you have ever visited Maggie Valley, you know the appeal. Simply put you feel as though you are in a portrait because of the amazing beauty surrounding you. It is a peaceful escape from everyday life. All four seasons are given their time to shine, with rainy, blossoming springs, mild summers, outstandingly beautiful falls, and snowy winters. Building a house in the mountains is going to be a different experience than building anywhere, but Smoky Mountain Retreat is here to assist you every step of the way.
The first thing you should do is set up a budget. Here at Smoky Mountain Retreat we offer a variety of price ranges throughout our properties. We are sure to find one to fit your lifestyle. You will need to look at the lot and the construction, and you do not want to spend more than you can afford. After you have figured out the funds for the lot and house, head to the bank to talk about loans for the lot and construction of the house.
Please keep in mind there are always unexpected expenses along the way when you are building from the ground up. Don’t base all of your expenses on the estimate given because you never know what you are going to stumble across during the building process. Try not to max out your money before you have broken ground. Hopefully, you will not have unexpected expenses, but you should have the money set aside just in case.
Your next step is finding the perfect lot. When you are working with Smoky Mountain Retreat, we are able to quickly and easily show you each plot of land available. You can choose from a house with long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to a quiet neighborhood nestled in the valley. Before you make a final decision on the location of your future abode be sure to look at the following:
- What are the natural surroundings? Are there lots of rocks or trees which will need to be removed? Are there creeks or streams that need to be taken into account? Are there steep slopes which may make the building process more difficult?
- Make sure you spend time truly studying the plot.
- Have a site analysis done by an architect to see if you are going to have to excavate the entire lot or just a portion.
- Think about the seasons. It snows a lot in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Make sure you choose a lot where you will not have too steep of a driveway or have four-wheel drive to safely make it up and down the driveway.
- Look at access to roads. When you purchase your plot in Smoky Mountain Retreat part of you HOA goes to paying for keeping the roads clear throughout winter.
Another reason to choose Smoky Mountain Retreat is we have several contractors who work in-house. These contractors are able to work with you to build a house to your specifications. Mountain design builders are used to working with sloping property. Depending on the grade of the slope, you may end up with a large crawl space or foundation. Also, try to incorporate the natural beauty surrounding you. It is important to try to not remove too many trees or rocks before building. It is best if you can find a way to incorporate them into your floorplan. Not only will this help the environment but will add to the uniqueness of your home.
Attempt to think of every little thing, down to the smallest detail. It will cost more later if you have not planned ahead for additions you may want further down the line. Think about how many porches and what sizes, do you want to be able to have a hot tub outside, fire pit, hammock, etc? These are all things decisions you are going to have to make before the construction begins.