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The Oakland Homes Blog
Hi! We’re Justin and Nikki Oakland, a husband-and-wife team raising two boys in the Sioux Falls area while building quality custom homes and desirable communities.
At Oakland Homes, every project is built with care!

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Top 5 Questions We Heard at the Spring Parade of Homes
Every year during the Spring Parade of Homes, we meet so many wonderful people dreaming about building a custom home. While every family and project is unique, there are a few questions we hear over and over again. If you stopped through one of our Parade homes this year — or if you’re just beginning to explore the idea of building — here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. 1. Who Carries the Construction Loan? This is one of the biggest questions peo

Justin + Nikki Oakland
3 min read


How to Tour a Parade Home Like a Builder
Every spring, thousands of people walk through Parade Homes gathering inspiration for future builds, remodels, and dream homes. Most visitors notice the obvious things first — paint colors, countertops, light fixtures, furniture styling, and trendy design features. But if you really want to understand the quality of a home, you have to look deeper. As builders, we see things a little differently. We notice the craftsmanship, the planning, the functionality, and the details mo

Justin + Nikki Oakland
3 min read


What Does It Cost to Build a House in South Dakota? Why Price Per Square Foot Can Be Misleading
When people start thinking about building a home, one of the very first questions we get is: “What’s your price per square foot?” And I get it.It feels like the easiest way to compare—simple, straightforward, and something you can quickly stack up against other builders or even homes you see online. But here’s the honest truth: Price per square foot is one of the most misleading numbers in the entire building process. Let me explain it this way… It’s kind of like asking: “Wha

Justin + Nikki Oakland
3 min read


Why Securing the Right Lot in Brandon Might Be the Smartest Move You Make This Year
When most people start thinking about building a home, they begin with the floor plan. How many bedrooms? Do we want a butler’s pantry? Should we vault the great room? But here’s something we’ve learned after years in residential construction: The lot matters more than the house. You can modify finishes. You can renovate a kitchen. You can finish a basement later. You cannot change your backyard view. The Power of Lake Living (And Why It’s Permanent) We currently have three

Justin + Nikki Oakland
3 min read


What to Know Before Buying a New Construction Home Lot
If you’re thinking about buying a lot and building a house, there’s more to the process than simply picking a beautiful piece of land.

Justin + Nikki Oakland
2 min read


Why Moving to South Dakota Makes Financial Sense
If you’re considering a big change, now might be the perfect time to move to South Dakota. Families, retirees, and professionals alike are choosing to call this state home—and for good reason.

Justin + Nikki Oakland
2 min read


Why Brandon, SD, is a Great Community for Families
Located just a short drive from Sioux Falls, the city of Brandon, SD, has become one of the most sought-after places to live in the region—and it’s easy to see why.

Justin + Nikki Oakland
2 min read


Building a House? Average Time to Build a Custom Home
When you decide to build a custom home, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: How long does it take? And the truth is, every home—and every homeowner—is different. But having a clear process and realistic expectations makes all the difference. At Oakland Homes, we’ve refined our approach to keep things organized, transparent, and stress-free. If you’re wondering about the average time to build a custom home, here’s what your building a house timeline might look like fro

Justin + Nikki Oakland
2 min read


Top 5 Reasons Families Are Relocating to South Dakota
If you’ve been wondering whether South Dakota could be your next home, you’re not alone. More and more families are relocating to South Dakota, drawn by its welcoming communities, affordable cost of living, and strong quality of life.

Justin + Nikki Oakland
2 min read


How to Choose a Lot for Your New Custom Home
Choosing the right lot for your new construction home is one of the most exciting—and most important—steps in building a new home.

Justin + Nikki Oakland
3 min read
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