You deserve a home that meets your specific needs and desires! If you find yourself dreaming of the perfect patio, the ideal kitchen, and inviting rooms where you love to spend time, it might just be time to start building! With Building Your Custom Home For Dummies, you won't have to feel intimidated as you plan, finance, and oversee construction on your new oasis. You'll learn what it takes to build a custom home, including which pros to call and when. This updated edition also covers the latest in real estate and home construction trends, including smart homes, green building, and banking options. It's more important than ever to live in a home that's truly how you want it, truly your own. Now is the perfect time to get started--if you're still in the dreaming stage, this book will help you identify your style and articulate your vision. If you're further along in the process, you'll benefit from checklists and pointers on reviewing architects' plans, evaluating contractor bids, flipping the home you build, and more. * The latest guidance on building a beautiful home on any budget * New ideas for high-tech homes with low carbon footprints * Step-by-step instructions for securing financing, hiring architects, and finding reliable contractors * Advice on how to invest your home-building budget wisely and plan for the future Building Your Custom Home For Dummies takes you from finding the perfect homesite through laying the foundation to framing and finishing--in the friendly Dummies style you can trust.