It took my husband and me two years to find the right piece of land to build our own DIY home. And
when I say DIY, I mean it no contractors, no builder. Just us, learning as we go.
Why did it take so long? Honestly, we struggled to find a real estate broker who believed in our vision.
And I don’t blame them. Advising someone to build a home with their own hands is a big risk, especially
when it’s not the ‘traditional’ path.
Looking back, I can say this: building your own home is a huge undertaking. And even now, 10 years
later, our house isn’t fully finished—because this journey is about learning by doing. But here’s the
thing: while it’s been challenging, it’s also been the most rewarding experience of our lives.
That’s why I started this blog series. My purpose is to share our ups and downs, the lessons we’ve
learned, and the real situations you’ll likely face if you decide to take this path yourself. There are things
I wish we had known, consultants I wish we had brought in sooner, and mistakes that could have saved
us years of work and thousands of dollars. But there are also victories—big ones—that make every
challenge worth it.
The biggest reward? Our home is 100% mortgage-free. We’ve worked, saved, and built in
phases—paying for materials as we go. It’s taken longer than most, but at the end of this journey, we’ll
have a home that belongs to us completely, with no debt hanging over our heads.
This blog is about more than just our story—it’s about helping you make an informed decision. Maybe
you’ll feel inspired to take the DIY path like we did. Or maybe you’ll decide the traditional route of hiring
a builder is the best fit for you. Either way, I want to give you the knowledge we didn’t have when we
started.
And here’s where my new real estate business comes in. My focus is on serving buyers who are
looking for land to build their own homes—especially those who dream of taking the DIY route.
Because I’ve lived this journey, I know firsthand the challenges, the risks, and the rewards. And I want
to help others navigate it with confidence.
So stay tuned—I’ll be sharing our story, the obstacles we’ve faced, and the strategies we’ve used to
keep going. Our house isn’t done yet, but we’re closer than ever. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned,
it’s this: the journey may be long, but the reward of building something that’s truly yours is worth every
step.
If you’re thinking about buying land—whether for a DIY build or a traditional
home—subscribe to this blog to follow our journey. And if you’re ready to start your own search, reach
out to me. I’d love to help you find the perfect piece of land for your dream home.