You need to talk to a realtor to find out what is available in your area for sale, as there are often some screaming deals for those that can take advantage of them. You might be surprised at what 1M can buy vs build in your area. In my low cost area of the South, an older (10-20 years old) home in the most desirable upscale home section of town will run around $125 a square foot. You can find homes in OK but not luxury areas of town for $60 a square foot. To build a new upscale home will start at around $200 a square foot, and just a "regular joe" home starts at around $100 a square foot. The only people building are those who want exactly what they want where they want and who have the savings and income to be able to afford to dictate that because banks are not cooperating well with builders right now. Homes older than the 10-20 years old are also available at lower cost per square foot yet, but most people who purchase those plan to remodel them with new kitchens, master baths, and other amenities that 50 year old homes didn't have. And those are the folks who end up spending more per square foot than if they had bought new. Luxury "rebuilds" often cost upwards of $350 per square foot to accomplish, which even an average home remodel will cost $150-$200 per square foot. When you have to update a home's systems like electrical and plumbing, and also want to expand/reconfigure the space, you are MUCH better off financially buying existing or building new.

greenfingernail, is that a Miele 3033 in your photos? Can you provide more details describing the cabinets that your washer and dryer are sitting upon? You don't have any vibration problems with this setup? Doesn't that Miele washer weigh a LOT--like 200 pounds? Did you get the Miele installers to hoist it up there for you? Thanks in advance for any info!

You will probably have more luck, looking at older/70s floor plans. That's back when people had larger laundry rooms and pools :) Here are a few with links to the eplans.com page that show the exterior and other details... From Home floor plans http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/epl/hwepl03254.html?from=search This one does not have the garden room with easy access to half bath, but it does have an excellent clutter room! And half bath off that, as well as small greenhouse... From Home floor plans http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/epl/hwepl00613.html?from=search This also comes with another facade option. You could use the powder room by the clutter room...or replace the dining room with a combination pool bath and pantry. Or, you could move the living room closer to the kitchen/dining room and have the pool bath/small office, between the master and living room. Lots of options! Hope this helps :) http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/epl/hwepl00598.html?from=search

I am referring to my personality, diving in with no planning. Not listening to solid advise. Being offended when opinionated house posters blew it up with critiques.Taking offensive to snooty, condescending summaries about a plan I had chosen. Not seeing past the tone of the message, not looking for someone that would work for me and with me. REFUSING to respect that there is a reason we each excel in different walks of life. Just don't mess with the ones you don't like, same philosophy with all our life choices. You'll hate some, but, there are professionals that truly could have helped me build a better home. I was not receptive at all, just got angry. I'll show them! I Disregarded that the chosen CAD program had flow issues. I didn't even understand the basic drawings. it did, it does.I have zero ability to translate a 5x7 closet into how that closet actually works. The laundry room, same, way too small. pantry, too small. what do those little drawings mean! I have two trained architect friends, and I was certain they weren't understanding I had to move, quickly, with no time for frivolous refinements. Had to break ground by fall, all those laid off Craig's list tradesman would certainly have more time, give my project the thought it needed, and I assumed you wouldn't say you could dry wall or tile if you couldn't. I could not visual the literal size of the storage closet, I now proudly call the master closet, for instance. Being driven by trend threads, that seem good on paper. Was that what I really wanted? Didn't take time to put true thought into those decisions. Did I really want them? Some yes, some no. Driving on to save money, I assume anybody with a lick of vision can hire quality work. So not true, I paid 4 times for new drywall, new painting, and it still is full of ruffles and ridges. Hire the legit drywalling company, wouldn't have lost 2 months with redos, paid excessively, interest hike during the never ending down times, of course interest rates went up.3.99 start build, 5.75 end build rate. Passed on licensed company to do the drywall, He gave me a two week time frame, (way too long in my narrow world)and was 3,000.00 more. So, hire some bozo on Craigslist that promised to get it done in half the time at half the cost.That decision cost me TWO MONTHS! for that investment,I paid up front, they needed supplies, and had me handcuffed, they already had my money. "save 3,00"ultimately costing me literally 4 times that, project set back two months( they showed up about 2 hours every other day and I swear they had no idea how to drywall. Flunked electric 4 times for COO, still have switches/ outlets with no idea their purpose. So, to answer your question, I paid 18,000. for a master bathroom, the tile job and the layout and quality is not good. With proper forethought and workability analysis this would definitely have been avoided. I could have hired someone to explain basic size, what to demand in workmanship, As in earlier post, I am just verbalizing my specific experience and begging you to not to buy that dress at Barneys just because it's 90% off. We were rear ended in 14, can't walk, but, I still want that dress from Bsrneys because it used to be the perfect dress for me. realize needs change, and you if it's an impulsive decision, it will sit in your closet with all the other GREAT deals. I learned from these costly mistakes, and am sooo receptive after the fact, to remedy issues that should have been remedied prior to building!