01-23-2008, 07:41 AM
I can't answer for Francesca, BUT my reasons for building vs buying are several:
Firstly, the stock of spec houses available are, almost exclusively, mainland-style tract homes. They have small rooms, small windows, and are dumped on a pin to pin cleared lot without regard to the prevailing winds or the view (if any).
Secondly, they are generally not designed for outdoor (tropical) living. the roof overhangs are minimal, and if they have a lanai it is generally fully exposed to the weather with no overhead cover.
Thirdly, and for me most importantly, if I build a home from scratch it can be exactly as I want it (within budgetary constraints). I can build a home which has only to please me, and I would plan to live in it for a very long time, rather than sell it as soon as the market improves.
If 'spec' homes were built for the climate and placed rather than dumped on their lots, I'm sure that more people would buy rather than build, since building takes a lot of time and energy.
Firstly, the stock of spec houses available are, almost exclusively, mainland-style tract homes. They have small rooms, small windows, and are dumped on a pin to pin cleared lot without regard to the prevailing winds or the view (if any).
Secondly, they are generally not designed for outdoor (tropical) living. the roof overhangs are minimal, and if they have a lanai it is generally fully exposed to the weather with no overhead cover.
Thirdly, and for me most importantly, if I build a home from scratch it can be exactly as I want it (within budgetary constraints). I can build a home which has only to please me, and I would plan to live in it for a very long time, rather than sell it as soon as the market improves.
If 'spec' homes were built for the climate and placed rather than dumped on their lots, I'm sure that more people would buy rather than build, since building takes a lot of time and energy.