Sooner or Later?

Current economic conditions seem to have everyone in a holding pattern. Projects are on hold until better times. Therefore, are you better off to wait or should you begin your project now? We know that economics are cyclical. Times will be good again. In the meantime, material prices continue to escalate. I just received a bulletin apprising us of a 12% increase in gypsum board products effective June 23rd. Steel prices are likely to be double by this time next year according to suppliers. Rebar has already tripled! In addition, a relatively new house will appreciate and adjust to the market regardless of it's completion date. Simply put, if you wait a year and the house costs 25% more to build, will it be worth 25% more than a similar house completed a year earlier. Probably not. This brings me back to something I've always believed, sooner is better than later. So, if you're considering when to get going on that dream home of yours, there's no time like the present. Take advantage of the low rates.

I'm regularly asked just how long it takes to build a Hurlocker Home. As always, that depends. I usually try to work backwards from a desired move in date. Lets say that you wanted to move in in early September 2010. If your house is a fairly typical 3000+- heated square foot Hurlocker house, it will take about 12 months to build. The design process is a big variable. Some clients are "quick studies" and others take more time. I think a good rule of thumb is to allow 6 months for the design to permit process. In the above example, we should begin design in early March of '09. There are some additional issues that can delay the process. Some subdivisions have more time consuming architectural review and approval processes. Some sites require additional time because of excavation of rock, expansive soils, long driveways, or well drilling to name a few. There is also a different permit process for the City and the County. I generally recommend a Spring start for a new house because it will allow us to pour slabs, frame, roof, and stucco before the snow flies. Therefore, I might suggest to the owner in the above example that we begin the design work around the 1st of the year. One thing we're convinced of, however, is that an integrated design/build process with single point project management from the beginning to the end is the most efficient delivery system available. It allows to complete a home on time and on budget most of the time.

Site Acquisition

I have recently acquired building sites for some clients who wanted larger lots than we currently have available in our subdivisions. During this search, I have become aware of a number of key points. First, not everyone knows that Hurlocker Properties is a full service Real Estate brokerage. As such, we are able to access MLS and find the perfect site for our clients and handle the entire transaction to closing. Secondly, a great house starts with a great site. Many factors are involved in defining a great site. However, there are some basic issues such as infrastructure that add significant value to a site. Infrastructure includes roads, utilities, sewer, tv and high speed internet access, landscape, and dedicated open space. I found lots with great views that were accessed by terrible roads and required wells, propane, etc. In addition, many of these lots will require extensive site work. While none of these items by themselves are necessarily bad, they can add significant costs to the overall project budget. Size by itself does not guaranty privacy. A series of flat 1 acre lots don't offer as much privacy as a well laid out 1/2 acre lot with some rolling topography. When you think about, a 1 acre square lot is 208 feet on a side and a square 1/2 acre lot is 148 feet on a side. That is only 60 feet less separation in the 1/2 acre lot. Siting and topography, therefore are huge factors in determining the feeling of privacy. Finally, there are a lot of 2 acre sites that have very small developable areas, sometimes as little as 1/4 of an acre (10,890 sq. ft.). A 3500 square foot house with portals may have an actual footprint of 5,ooo square feet and by the time you factor in the motorcourt, guest parking, and driveways, your choices become very limited. The team at Hurlocker Properties is always happy to meet with you regarding the selection and acquisition of a site for your Santa Fe dream home.

First Post

This is the first post of our new blog. Hurlocker Homes, owned and operated by Michael Hurlocker in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Michael brings an uncommon level of personal attention, construction experience, and impeccable craftsmanship to every project. Hurlocker's clean-lined, contemporary Southwest homes follow his own modern esthetic and reflect his association with a select group of architects.

Modern designs, defined masses, fine detailing, and precision execution are recognizable elements in every Hurlocker home.

Hurlocker's prize-winning homes garnered four awards in the 2007 Parade of Homes, one of which was for excellence in green building. In 2006 his entry was named the Parade of Homes Grand Hacienda. He has also won Santa Fean Magazine Home of the Year in 2006 and 2007.