Purchasing a home, adjusting to it and your new living situation won’t be a good experience if you can’t afford anything other than your mortgage payment. Just because you can afford a 3000-square-foot home doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

Here are some considerations for how to budget for a new home and a checklist to use as you’re planning.

One of the best parts of building a custom home is choosing a floor plan that suits your needs. The right floor plan can significantly improve how you experience your new home, and everything from shape to style should be considered.

As you make New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to add some for your home as well. Resolving to focus on your home is the same as focusing on yourself and your family’s wellbeing. Here’s how you can create a happier (and more valuable) home one season at a time.

Bedroom layouts are pretty simple: room for a bed, a dresser, a closet, and maybe a sitting area. But when it comes to dining room layouts, there are so many variations on how, what, when, and where people eat that make layouts vary significantly.

Likewise, floorplans aren’t one-size-fits-all, although we might be accustomed to a certain traditional standard. The beauty of building a custom home is you can create the floorplan that works for you and your family.

You’ve probably drooled over multi-million-dollar homes on sites like Zillow and, just for a second, let yourself daydream, “Hello, I live here.” But then you open your bank account and come crashing back down to reality.

And the reality is that almost everyone has a budget for a new home and what they can feasibly spend. Goldleaf-plated bathtubs might not be in your future, but there are still some ways you can maximize your budget to make your dream home a reality. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your home-building budget.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you love your home, the time often comes where you have to choose between moving or remodeling. Perhaps your family has just outgrown your current home. Or your situation has changed so that you just need some upgrades. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone. Americans move an average of 11 times in their lifetime. But maybe moving isn’t the answer; perhaps it’s remodeling. Here are some factors to help you choose what’s right for you.

Of all the interior design choices you have to make, choosing paint colors can seem so monumental. And for good reason! Walls are a big part of your home, and there are thousands of paint options available and a lot of factors to consider. Whether you’re moving into a new home or just ready to give your space a refresh, here’s your guide to choosing the right interior paint colors to fit your home and your needs.

One of the most underutilized areas of homes is the outdoor living space. Homeowners have not just a building but an outdoor space as well, and they have an opportunity to make the most of the land and resources they have.

Whether you’re preparing to sell or just looking for ways to increase your home’s value, the inside of the home is often the first thing that comes to mind. But prioritizing the outside of your home can be just as rewarding.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 94% of real estate professionals say that they have suggested that sellers improve their curb appeal before listing a home for sale. Landscaping is one aspect of curb appeal that you shouldn’t overlook.

Bonus rooms — also called multipurpose rooms, double-duty rooms or flex spaces — are rooms that can be whatever you want them to be. This extra room in your home gives you the freedom to live the way you want, allowing your home to fit your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Protecting your family and your property should be homeowners’ top concerns. The good news is that there are some simple measures you can take to help boost your home’s security and reduce your risk for a break-in or theft. Here are five simple but smart ways to improve your home’s security.

Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your current home, siding is an important factor. It adds curb appeal and conveys your home’s aesthetic while also serving as a protection against the outside elements. Making a decision on siding isn’t as simple as picking the one you believe looks the best; there are several other factors to consider. Here’s a guide to helping you pick the right one for you.

An unexpected situation can quickly turn into an emergency if the necessary steps are not taken to adjust course. As a homeowner, you cannot anticipate every situation that arises, but you can be prepared for certain common situations that could quickly become more severe. Here are a few safety essentials every homeowner should have on hand.

Imagine your perfect dream home, with all the amenities you’ve desired… but it faces the wrong way in the lot. Or the structure wasn’t designed to fit your grand piano. Or there’s a drainage problem that could have been avoided if it had been built one foot to the left. If you’ve been saving for your dream home for a while, you’ll want to leave the actual designing in the hands of professionals to avoid mistakes such as these.

Building a new home can be financially complicated. Obtaining both a construction loan as well as a mortgage is frustrating, to say the least. But construction loans aren’t the only way to fund new home construction. The turnkey construction process provides a way to cut through that red tape and simplify the financial aspect of home building. Here’s what you need to know about turnkey construction.

One of the most important items you should purchase as a new homeowner is a well-stocked tool kit. Don’t wait until a need arises. Be proactive and have these on hand for possible scenarios, whether planned or unplanned. Here are the tools every new homeowner should have.

Above ground, we’re getting ready to experience winter again. But just a few feet below the earth’s surface, the ground remains at a relatively constant temperature. Like a cave, the ground temperature is warmer than the air above during winter and cooler during summer. Geothermal heat pumps allow you to take advantage of this constancy.