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It wasn't too long ago that I told you building a new house from the ground up isn't as expensive as most people think. The term "custom home" doesn't automatically mean big dollar signs. Builder Peter Belmonte takes us through his process.

Custom Home Builder Peter Belmonte Jr. said, “We do have a set of pre-designed plans that we can start with as suggestions and then further individualize them to be specifically what the homeowner desires or we can start from a blank sheet of paper and create anything that our combined imagination can come up with.”

However, before you start designing that dream house, Belmonte suggests you understand your limits. Sit down and weed out your needs from your wants.

“It's important to understand what your affordability and comfort level is. As a home builder we already have established relationships with a number of lenders that know exactly what our customers need and prefer. Quite often they can accomplish a funding package that's actually better than what the customer may come across on their own,” said Belmonte.

You'll then work with your builder to determine your family's needs and begin to sketch your new home.

Belmonte said, “We're going to start off finding home sites that work for you. We'll then evolve into a home that meets your needs and continue to develop that to meet all of your expectations.”

A big benefit, if you choose a one-stop-shop like Belmonte offers, your builder will be able to walk you through the land acquisition phase as well if you're not purchasing a plot in an established neighborhood. Your builder will recognize the obstacles for sitting a home on any given plot of land and guide you in the right direction.

For more information visit www.belmontebuilders.com and www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com.