As in most life endeavors a little preparation can help you build the home you dream of. Don't just call a contractor and say I'm looking to build a house. Knowing what you want and can afford are critical to this major lifestyle decision.

A New Home is an Investment

For most of us, building a home is a major investment.  This investment should pay off for a very long time. this house should have the features and amenities you prefer to be happy.  The better you can communicate your "must have" , "dislike" and "would be nice" categories the easier it will be to get your project on the right path from the start.