Building a Home in Forest Lakes?

[LJ123]

We are a custom home builder considering building a spec home on a lot we own in the community of Forest Lakes, located in Blue Mountain Beach on the north side of 30A. With the right plan and price, we think the home will sell and generate other building activity in Forest Lakes. It's such a pretty community and only a couple of blocks to a Walton County maintained beach access down from Goatfeathers!

Any opinions are welcome, what does SoWal think?

 

[dbcooper]

Forest Lakes is a great location and backs up to the forest. It won't attract VRBO weekend renters so I would add touches that a perm resident or second home buyer would want. Closets, storage, driveway, possibly one car garage or storage.

 

[ASH]

What kind of square footage will the home be and what is the price range for a finished home in there?

 

[LJ123]

Forest Lakes

Forest Lakes is a great location and backs up to the forest. It won't attract VRBO weekend renters so I would add touches that a perm resident or second home buyer would want. Closets, storage, driveway, possibly one car garage or storage.

You are so right dbcooper, Forest Lakes will be second home owners or primary residents. We are working on several nice plans that are well thought out, utilizing space wisely including closets, "clutter" areas, attic storage, driveways and garages. Thanks for your in-put

 

[LJ123]

Forest Lakes

What kind of square footage will the home be and what is the price range for a finished home in there?

Ash,
We are going to build somewhere around 2200-2500sf heated and cooled plus porches and a one car garage. We're crunching our numbers.

 

[gmarc]

curious what it would cost you a builder per square foot?can you build at $100 a square foot a decent home?

 

[LJ123]

Fixed costs

curious what it would cost you a builder per square foot?can you build at $100 a square foot a decent home?

A decent solid home with a simple plan, standard finishes, fixtures and materials can be built for $100sf. depending on where your home site is located.
Keep in mind that the codes for windows, doors and structural elements are stricter the nearer to the Gulf and Bay and those costs are basically fixed. The planned, resort communities along 30A are dictated by Architectural and Design review board requirements for materials etc. which adds considerably to the cost per sf. There are minimum size homes required in these communities. Also, back to fixed costs, a kitchen and bathrooms have the same fixtures in a 1500 sf home as a 2500sf home. Extensive porches add to the costs.

 

[jta05]

I maybe looking for a builder in Forest Lakes. Are you an approved builder?

 

[BethRoberts]

Interested. WE are considering a lot in that neighborhood to be full time residents.

 

[Tom at BV]

You are so right dbcooper, Forest Lakes will be second home owners or primary residents. We are working on several nice plans that are well thought out, utilizing space wisely including closets, "clutter" areas, attic storage, driveways and garages. Thanks for your in-put

I agree, mostly primary home owners, how about a (2) car garage, side-by-side or stacked 2-car for our toys.
Tom