Building your own home can be very exciting, but you might be wondering what to do while you wait? A new home can take anywhere from four to six months to build, or sometimes longer depending on location and style. This may leave you wondering where you are going to live in the meantime and how you can prepare for your big move? Depending on your specific situation, there are a few options for what to do while waiting for your home to be built. Let’s consider all of your options so you can decide which is best for you.

Where to Live

Given that it could take several months before your new home is complete, you will need to have a temporary place to live while you wait. Here are some of your best options:

Stay in Your Current Home: If you currently own a home, you could plan to stay there and time the sale of your home around when your new home will be ready. This is an ideal option for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of moving twice. However, since you don’t know exactly how long it will take to sell your home, this could seem like a risky move for some. If you are unsure about how to time the sale of your current house, talk with a local real estate agent that is familiar with the local market and can advise you on what to do.

Sell Your Home and Rent: If you are eager to sell your home and you don’t want that responsibility hanging over your head, you could always go ahead and sell your house and rent while waiting for your new home to be built. This may seem daunting for those who don’t want to move twice, but it can definitely provide peace of mind for those who are worried about selling their current home. You can either rent a house or an apartment and you always have the option of placing your belongings in storage in the meantime. You can either rent a portable storage unit and keep your belongings close by or place them in long-term storage at a storage facility.

Live with Friends or Family: If you are lucky enough to live in the same city as a family member or close friend, you always have the option of bunking up with them for a few months. Again, you can utilize temporary storage to house your belongings until your home is ready.

How to Prepare for the Move

Although you won’t be moving for a few months, there are still things you need to do while waiting for your home to be built.

• ●Declutter and get rid of unwanted items
• ●Start packing ahead of time and store items in temporary storage
• ●Research movers and find out how far in advance you need to book your moving service
• ●Meet with your builder regularly to discuss the progress of your home and to make final decisions regarding your home
• ●Start picking out paint colors and shopping for furniture for your new home
• ●Arrange for homeowner’s insurance, as you will need proof for your mortgage company
• ●Prepare your current home to sell and look for temporary housing if needed
• ●Hire a home inspector to check the foundation of your new home before any sheetrock goes on the wall. You want to make sure the work is done properly before you get too far along.
• ●Be patient and remember to enjoy the process. It may take a while to build but it will be worth it once you are settled in your new home!