Top 5 Questions We Heard at the Spring Parade of Homes
- Justin + Nikki Oakland
- May 22
- 3 min read
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 people have when starting the building process.
In most cases, we prefer that the client carries their own construction loan through their lender. This is typically the most straightforward option and allows the homeowner to work directly with their bank throughout the project.
That said, Oakland Homes can also carry the construction loan in certain situations. When we do, it generally requires a larger upfront down payment. That down payment is then credited back to the client at the successful closing of the home.
Why do we structure it this way?
Custom homes are highly personalized to each client’s selections and design preferences. If a buyer were unable to move forward during construction — for example, if a contingent home sale fell through — we would potentially need to finish, list, and market a very customized home. The additional down payment helps minimize that risk while still giving clients flexibility during the building process.
We’re always happy to walk clients through both options and help determine what makes the most sense for their situation.
2. How Long Does It Take to Build a Home?
The honest answer? Every project is different.
Generally, we tell clients to plan for about a year from the start of the process to move-in day. Some homes move faster, while others take longer depending on the size, complexity, weather, selections, permitting, and financing timeline.
One thing many people don’t realize is how much work happens before construction even begins.
The pre-build phase alone can often take around 2–3 months and includes:
Designing and finalizing house plans
Budgeting and estimating
Material selections
Engineering and permitting
Working through financing and lending
Scheduling trades and materials
We believe taking the time to properly plan upfront creates a smoother building experience later.
3. Who Comes Up With the House Plans?
Sometimes clients already have a vision in mind. Other times, they have no idea where to start — and both are completely okay.
At Oakland Homes, we have a variety of previous home plans we can pull “off the shelf” and build as-is or modify to fit your needs.
We also work closely with talented local drafters and designers to create completely custom layouts tailored to each family’s lifestyle, lot, budget, and goals.
Some clients know exactly what they want. Others discover it through the design process. Either way, we help guide you from concept to completed plan.
4. Do You Offer Design Help?
Yes — design guidance is a big part of our process.
The majority of our clients work directly with Nikki during their selection meetings, where she helps guide finishes, colors, materials, and overall flow throughout the home. From flooring and cabinetry to lighting and tile, we help clients make selections that feel cohesive and timeless while still reflecting their personal style.
For clients wanting additional design support, we also work closely with several talented local interior designers. In those situations, clients typically hire the designer directly, and we coordinate together throughout the project to ensure everything comes together smoothly.
Our goal is to make the selection process feel exciting rather than overwhelming.
5. How Much Does It Cost to Build?
This is often the question everyone wants answered first — and understandably so.
The reality is that building costs can vary significantly depending on:
Size of the home
Location and lot conditions
Design complexity
Material selections
Custom features
Finishing details
Rather than giving unrealistic “price per square foot” numbers, we prefer to have real conversations about budget early in the process so we can help guide design decisions appropriately.
Our goal is always to create a home that fits both your vision and your financial comfort zone.
Thinking About Building?
Building a home is a big decision, and we know the process can feel overwhelming at first. One of our favorite parts of the Parade of Homes is simply having conversations, answering questions, and helping people understand what the process actually looks like.
Whether you’re ready to build soon or just starting to gather ideas, we’re always happy to help.
Have questions about building? Reach out anytime — we’d love to connect.