If you’re on the hunt for a new custom home, you’ve come to the right place! Custom Builders is an online directory of the best homebuilders in locations across the United States and Canada.

However, it’s not an easy task choosing choose a builder when you’re looking at multiple impressive profiles at a time. We’ve come up with a short list to help you homebuyers select the right custom builder for your needs.

First, step back and figure out what your options are. Having financial and employment stability and determining a reasonable price range that will allow you to pay off a portion mortgage each month while still maintaining a comfortable lifestyle are very important things to take care of. After all, you can buy a custom home, but if you can’t afford any furniture, why bother?

Once you have your affairs in order and your finances figured out, take a look at the builders in your area by using Custom Builders.com as a resource, along with a quick Google search of websites by homebuilders around your city.

Make a list of the companies that pique your interest and start researching each custom homebuilder individually. You’ll want to take note of locations where they build, warranty services they provide, standard features they include in each home, and the average price for their homes.

Rank your favorites from among these builders and start reaching out to them. This helps you two-fold: 1) it will allow you to get more information to make an educated decision, and 2) it will give you an impression of what to expect from them for customer service. If they are reluctant to provide you with information, never call back or reply to emails, and generally seem disinterested, that’s a red flag and you may want to focus your interest on a different company to build your new home.

When you contact these companies, ask about any model homes, check out their builder vendors and suppliers, and ask for any other detailed information you are interested in.

Your priorities should lie in quality and value, and the best way to get an accurate impression of a company’s homes is to talk to a few of their homeowners.

Word-of-mouth is one of the fastest, easiest ways to learn about a custom builder. If you have a friend, relative, or coworker who has gone with a builder you’re interested in, make sure to ask them how they like their home. If you don’t have any personal connections to a house built by a particular company, search for reviews on the internet or meet some potential future neighbors and knock on a few doors in a community where they’ve recently built.

What do you think is important to look for in a homebuilder? Leave us a comment below!

One of the few custom builders in Tennessee founded and ran by a woman, Magnolia Homes is proud to be different. President and Founder Karen Garner explains, “Success doesn’t come from the design or even the construction. It’s the owner’s commitment to uncompromising standards, and respecting the importance of your role in the lives of your homeowners.”

Garner’s right, and you can see the difference in the homes built by Magnolia. They’re solid, smartly designed, and offer a lifestyle like none other thanks to their construction and layout. Since 2008 they’ve been voted as the #1 Builder by Magnolia Homeowners. They’ve been a member of the Memphis Area Home Builders Association since 1987 and the Better Business Bureau since 1988.

These homes are built according to energy efficient standards and guidelines, reducing homeowner utility and replacement costs. Residents are satisfied with the utility costs. One happy client said, “Now that I have gotten through the summer months in my new home, to let you know my latest MLGW bill (for October), $64.09 was the damage. I can’t thank you enough. I think the highest MLGW bill for the summer was around $160-$170, which is remarkable for a home the size of mine.”

Each Magnolia Home comes with a 10 year warranty. Karen personally walks through each home before closing to ensure everything is up to code and up to her standards of satisfaction; the end result is that homebuyers have few warranty requests thanks to the diligence of both the contractors and Ms. Garner. The first year covers construction, year two includes systems (behind your walls), and years 3-10 cover structural aspects.

This Tennessee builder is proud to offer a military discount of up to 2% on their homes. They build in the Winstead Farms of Lakeland neighborhood, located just 30 minutes from the military base at Millington.

In addition to being near to the Millington military base, Magnolia builds near the exciting city of Memphis, named one of the Top 100 Most Fun Cities in the United States by Portfolio.com in 2010. With a low cost of living, good employment prospects, many young professionals, and plenty of cultural entertainment, Memphis is a perfect city for anyone looking to relocate.

For Magnolia homeowners, prospective buyers, or those interested in Memphis real estate, their blog is a easy way to stay updated. Once a week, you can check out a new post on their blog. Topics range from home staging tips, news on the housing market, reasons to buy/sell, and more. Their social media guru Jenna keeps their Facebook page, Twitter account, and Youtube videos up-to-date.

Whether you’re looking to relocate or looking for a new home in the Memphis area, Magnolia Homes has the right charm, price, and quality for just about any homeowner. Contact them today to get started on your dream home.

Are you looking for a new custom home in Virginia Beach? LR Hill Custom Builders would love for you to consider their community, Heritage Park.

Set on your choice of lake, wooded, or open area lots, these custom-built brick homes are beautifully tailored to suit your needs as a homeowner. Area amenities include crystal-clear lakes and walking and biking trails. This community is conveniently located just minutes from Sandbridge Beaches, shopping and dining, and a local horse stable and riding center.

Children living in Heritage Park will attend Virginia Beach Public Schools, including Three Oaks Elementary, Princess Anne Middle, and Kellam High School. Homes in Heritage Park start in the low $500,000 price range.

To get to Heritage Park from General Booth Blvd South, turn left on Princess Anne Road. At Hills Corner, head straight onto Sandbridge Road. Go past the shopping center on the right. Heritage Park will be on your right, directly across from the entrance to the Lagomar subdivision.

LR Hill Custom Builders strives to make the building process as stress-free and smooth as possible for both their building team and you. Recognized as Virginia Beach’s Small Business of the Year, LR Hill Custom Homes is committed to providing the highest quality service possible. If you’re looking for a new custom home in Virginia Beach, be sure to check out Heritage Park.

If you’re looking for a new home in Savannah, be sure to check out Morgan Pines, a new custom home community by Konter Homes.

Located in Pooler, Morgan Pines offers six different floor plan collections, ranging from modest town homes to custom Signature Homes. Their Carriage Square town homes are among some of the most unique available in Savannah, and are limited to two families per town home.

This neighborhood offers two pools, a fitness center, playground, tennis and basketball courts, and many other amenities to help you take advantage of all the great outdoors has to offer. Kids living in Morgan Pines will attend West Chatham Elementary and Middle and Groves High School.

To get to Morgan Pines from I-16 heading west, take exit 115 for Pooler Parkway. Turn right and exit on to Pooler Parkway and follow for almost a mile. Turn left on to Pine Barren Road  for about 1/2 of a mile and the entrance to Morgan Pines will be on your right.

Four types of single family homes are offered in Morgan Pines which range from the low $140,000 to upper $250,000 price range.

Konter Quality Homes, established in 1977, has built more than 2,000 homes and 17 communities. They have twice been recognized as Savannah’s builder of the year and have been recognized as a Guildmaster three times for outstanding customer satisfaction. If you’re looking for a quality custom home in Savannah, let Konter Homes build for you in Morgan Pines.

Are you looking for a new custom home in Chester County? Keystone Custom Homes would love for you to consider their community in Oxford, Ballymeade.

The Ballymeade custom home neighborhood is located in Southern Chester County and boasts one acre homesites. Despite being slightly off the beaten path, this community remains close to everyday conveniences and Delaware state, where shopping is tax free.

To get to Ballymeade from Route 1, take the Rte 896 South exit. Follow 896 to Old Baltimore Pike and take a right at the blinking light. Follow for about a 1/2 mile to a right on University Avenue across from Lincoln University. Make a left on Hall Road and Ballymeade will be on your right.

Builder Keystone Custom Homes has been ranked by the industry’s leading trade journal, Builder Magazine, as one of the top 100 home builders in the nation. They are also proud to be the first builder to be named America’s Best Builder three times by Builder Magazine of more than 200,000 home builder companies. With a reputation for outstanding quality, let Keystone Custom Homes build your new home in Oxford.