5 Myths About Multi-Generational New Homes NC

Give everyone the space they need. Combine living arrangements where it makes the most sense for your new multi-gen home (with a dual master, mother in law, or extended family layout). What do you need to know, when you look at plans and look for a multi-gen new home builder?

Travars Built Homes builds new, custom multi-gen homes in NC. Ask us for house plan options that fit your needs – click here.

As you consider space for long-stay extended family members, caretakers or guests, here are the top myths about building a multi-generational new home in North Carolina:

Chatham County Homes

North Carolina multi-gen new home myth #1

I can attach a separate apartment to my home that is private, as long as it is part of the initial home structure. FALSE.

TRUTH:

Any portion of your home that is separated by a wall, as opposed to having an access from one part of the home to the other, can be considered a duplex and would likely not be approved as a single family home in NC.

Be careful to choose a floor plan that includes any multi gen, mother in law, or dual master elements as an integral portion of the home. Although there can be privacy, there must be access into the home. Although it can have a private entrance from the exterior, it must also have an entrance on the interior. Additional regulations may apply.

Even floor plans that have a little apartment attached will need to have approval from all applicable entities before it can be built. This is especially true when you want to add a little apartment on the other side of the garage, for example, as it will have it’s own systems and is self-contained, which means it can be considered a separate residence.

Chatham County Homes

North Carolina multi-gen new home myth #2

I can build a guest cottage on my lot if I have a big yard. FALSE.

TRUTH:

Your ability to build a structure on your lot – whether it is a cottage, outbuilding or gazebo, needs to have approval from the building department, architectural review board (if you live in a community with an HOA) and other factors such as water and septic or sewer systems.

Even if your lot is in a countryside location, you will need to familiarize yourself with county or town regulations applicable to your land. You’ll need a building permit before you get started.

Most custom home community covenants do NOT allow a guest house on the same lot.

If the lot has a septic system, it will typically be rated for 3-4 bedrooms. So even if a separate structure is allowed, you will need to divide the amount of bedrooms per dwelling to use that system – and you may be required to have a separate system, which will need to be approved.

Some custom home communities allow a second structure such as a garage or an art studio. It may be possible to have a small cottage, which may require attachment with a breezeway. See the community covenants for their rules. All structures will need to be approved the the archiectural committee as specified in the covenants.

It may be possible for a guest house to be considered a separate home, as opposed to a single dwelling on the lot, depending on the regulations for that location. This would also need to be approved by the building department as well as the architectural review board in the community.

North Carolina multi-gen new home myth #3

As long as I have an entrance from one part of the home to the other, I can have two full kitchens, great rooms, and pretty much duplicate my home as though it is a duplex as long as it is accessible from both sides via a doorway. FALSE. GET APPROVALS AND PERMITS – THIS IS NOT THE INTENT OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.

TRUTH:

Be careful about trying to combine two families into one structure, with what amounts to two separate homes if zoning is for single family homes. This can be rejected by building department regulations, zoning, and community covenants.

Multi gen plans can be customized and there are many possibilities. However, a single family home is not the same thing as a duplex, which requires different zoning and other requirements.

The best approach to having a multigen home accepted by regulators is to choose a layout that is designed for a single family with a long term guest or caretaker. For example, a kitchenette could be more appropriate for a mother in law, care taker, or guest suite than a home with two full kitchens and living areas. As with all homes, your floor plan must adhere to the approval process, and follow all the rules.

Avonlea | Durham Home Builder

North Carolina multi-gen new home myth #4

A full apartment in the basement is always acceptable in single family zoning. FALSE.

TRUTH:

Nothing is “always acceptable” – your custom home builder will help guide your choices in adherence to rules and regulations. As with any addition to the home that is designed to accommodate multi-gen situations, a full apartment in the basement must be approved as applicable by the county, town and any other entities that have say in the process, including the community HOA (where applicable).

Although multi gen accommodations within the home are accepted more widely than a stand alone cottage or a separate apartment on the other side of the garage with it’s own systems, acceptability depends on local regulations and requirements.

More often, you will find new multi-gen homes with two master bedrooms or a master suite and guest suite on the first floor:

Avonlea | Durham Home Builder

North Carolina multi-gen new home myth #5

A multi gen home must share the same laundry room FALSE.

TRUTH:

You can typically have as many laundry rooms as you would like in your home. You can also have as many bathrooms as you like. The only rooms limited by septic system regulations are the amount of bedrooms – as the indicator of how many people live there full time.

In fact, it’s becoming common to have two or even three laundry rooms, for added convenience inside non multi-gen new homes. Some custom homes have a laundry room on each floor. Some have laundry setups in the master suite closet or extended guest suite.

Laundry Mudroom Door to Master Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

Whether you are seeking to create a mother in law suite, multi-gen, dual master, or small apartment in the new home you want to build, the most important thing to keep in mind is how to divide gathering areas and personal space.

We will help you with that! Contact Travars Built Homes to get started.

19 Questions to Ask NC home builders – before you buy

What questions should I ask builders about building a new home in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill region of North Carolina?

“Price per square foot” is NOT the most important thing to know.

Use this checklist of new home construction cost questions – and learn why to avoid asking “what’s your cost per square foot”? Contact Travars Built Homes for answers to these questions.

Questions to ask NC home builders: (Not) cost per square foot

  1. Why does price per square foot come out much higher for some homes than others, even though the size and layout look very similar?
  2. What comes included in this home, as a starting, “basic” build?
  3. Can you give me a detailed package that has everything in writing, so I can see just what’s already in there and what I need to add?
  4. How long will it take to build my new home?

Questions to ask NC home builders: Location and site work

  1. Where can you build my new home in NC?
  2. Is site work included in your price? Do you give that to me prior to contract?
  3. What does it cost to build this home on my lot, as opposed to on a lot in your community?
Questions to ask NC home builders

Questions to ask NC home builders: Floor plan layout and style

  1. How do I find a cost-effective floor plan?
  2. Why does a home with a large kitchen cost more to build than a home with a large great room?
  3. Why does an owners suite on the main floor cost more than an owners suite upstairs?
  4. Why does it cost more to have a sprawling footprint than one that has more square feet upstairs?
  5. Why does a home shaped like a “box” cost less to build than a home with “cutouts?”
  6. How much less does it cost to build a bonus room over a great room than to add a keeping room on the main floor?
  7. Why do contemporary home architectural styles cost more to build than traditional architectural styles?
Questions To Ask NC Home Builders
Questions To Ask NC Home Builders

Questions to ask NC home builders: Selections and features

  1. How much does a typical homebuyer pay in addition to the “base” price for your homes once they start including things like microwaves and other features that are in typical custom homes?
  2. How many choices do I have for selections in your “base” pricing?
  3. What kind of energy efficiency (features and processes) does this home have?
  4. How much do windows and doors matter when adding up costs?
  5. Does it cost more to have a carriage than a third bay in the garage?
  6. Is a sealed crawl space included?
  7. Are there built-ins? Trey ceilings? Trim around windows and doors? Crown moulding?
Questions To Ask NC Home Builders

Learn more about building a new home in North Carolina in our FAQs. Contact Travars Built Homes to start asking questions!

What kind of loan do I need to build my new home?

How is a custom home financed in North Carolina?

When you build a new custom home in North Carolina, it’s typical to need a construction to perm loan, as opposed to a mortgage loan, which is more common when purchasing an existing home.

Construction loans are short term loans, most often with interest-only payments that are intended to last the length of your new home construction – up to one year.

Your lot purchase and the construction of your home are typically bundled into one transaction with a construction loan, so you do not need to buy the lot before you build. Travars Built Homes can be built on your lot, in custom home neighborhoods or countryside locations within about an hour of Chapel Hill.

Contact us to learn more about how to build a new custom home on your land.

Interest payments in a construction loan are only due in segments, with the construction loan accessed gradually by the builder through draws as specific portions of your home are completed. 

The North Carolina county or city inspector will approve each portion of the home as it is completed, and your construction lender will review the progress before dispersing the draw to the builder.

What About when the Home is Complete? 

What happens with your construction loan upon completion of your home depends on the program you have entered with your lender. It’s most common to subsequently take on a mortgage for permanent financing, with terms up to thirty years. However, some construction loans have a one time close, which has different terms than a two time close. Your lender will advise you of the differences.

Where can I learn more about North Carolina Construction Financing?

Daniel McCoy of the McCoy Team at MVB Mortgage #485895 offers a variety of programs to choose from for your new home construction loan. 

MVB Mortgage

336 255-0445

Daniel.mccoy@mvbmortgage.com

This Portfolio Lender has programs with:

  • As low as 95% LTV, conventional up to $453,000 on primary residence
  • As low as 90% LTV, conventional up to $453,100 on second home
  • 100% financing for eligible VA borrowers
  • Jumbo financing to $2mil
  • Cross-collateralization and Bridge options
  • Interest only payments during the construction period
  • 660 Minimum Credit Score
  • All loans subject to credit approval

North Carolina new home loan products and interest rates are subject to change at any time due to changing market conditions. Actual rates available may be based on a number of factors including your credit rating, size of down payment and amount of documentation provided. This information is provided as an overview of the loan process and not a guarantee of lending. Contact your tax advisor about the deductibility of interest. Contact MVB Mortgage for more information about mortgage products and eligibility.

MVB Mortgage NMLS#181319

Contact Travars Built Homes to learn how to build a new home in North Carolina. Get started with your floor plan search.

Laundry Mudroom Door to Master Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

Universal design. Aging in place. Accessible: Laundry room checklist for your new construction home

Looking for a universal design / aging in place laundry room checklist for your Chatham County new construction home? Find everything you’ll need in a new, aging in place home, from doorway widths to accessible features and layout recommendations.

Experts at Travars Built Homes are certified to build aging in place style new homes. Contact us to get started on next steps for your universal design new home.

Appliance configuration

When you choose your appliances, it’s important that they be front load, for easier loading. We strongly suggest getting a matching pedestal from the appliance manufacturer. Or ask your custom home builder to create a 12-15” platform for the equipment to sit on. Stackable appliances are not universal, as neither appliance will be at the ultimate height to avoid bending and stretching.

Chatham County New Home Laundry Room

Size

Your builder will look for a way to have a 36” wide doorways and 5 foot diameter of open space in front of the washer and dryer. If the laundry is located along the hallway, it will need to be at least 4′ wide.

Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Dog House Under the Stairs

Location

Keep your laundry room on the main floor for accessibility, unless your home will have an elevator.

Storage

Cabinetry over the top of the washer and dryer may not be as useful to you as cubbies or shelves at an accessible height. Check with your builder about reconfiguring the laundry room if necessary, to allow for the kind of storage you need.

Chatham County New Home Laundry Room

Convenience

Some plans allow for a washer and dryer in the owner’s suite closet. Others can be built with a door from the owner’s suite or closet directly into the laundry room, which also has another entrance. Tell your builder what your needs are – some plans can be modified to relocate the laundry room or add extra doors.  

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Black and White Laundry Room

Task Management

Consider where you will be doing the laundry, as well as where it will be folded and put away. Do you need a table in the laundry room? Countertops can be built at varying heights. Hanging rod? Pull down ironing board? Sitting area? Your builder will take a look at the plans, to make sure there’s knee room and a 36” wide circumference, for full accessibility.

All of these features can be designed and built in for accessibility by a custom home builder.

Lighting

A universal, aging in place feature that’s important in your laundry room and throughout your home is appropriate lighting. In addition to LED lighting, ask your builder for extra lights if there are areas where you need additional illumination. Consider motion detector lighting for convenience when your arms are full so lights can operate automatically when you come and go. If there are work stations, think about under cabinet lighting, flexible track lighting, or even natural light from windows or doors.

Chatham County New Home Laundry Room

Flooring

One way to help eyesight in an aging in place design is to change flooring color in the laundry room to differentiate from surrounding areas. There are a lot of great tile choices in a huge variety of styles and colors when you work with a premium custom home builder. Consider cork, too.

Talk with an experienced NC builder

Make sure to talk with a custom home builder experienced with universal design who is flexible enough to meet your goals in design/building your home with the features and convenience you need. Contact Travars Built Homes to get started.

Where can you find an EV charging station in Pittsboro, North Carolina?

You can plug your electric car into an EV Charging Station at dozens of locations in the Pittsboro and Chapel Hill area – including your new home.

This active map from PlugShare shows where you can find public stations, designated as high power or ‘ in use’ and where they are located. ChargeHub is another great resource for EV Charge Station information, where users can also edit, add comments, and post pictures.

You can find a place to plug in while you sit outside welcoming places like this: Penguin Place – One of the Top Places to Eat in Pittsboro NC.

Nearly all of the dozens of EV Car Charging stations in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area are free. A typical electric car can be fully energized in about 3-6 hours, depending on the vehicle.

Talk to your builder about adding a charging station to your new home. It’s a great way to make reducing greenhouse gas emissions simple and easy, with your home as the center for your ability to have a clean alternative to conventional fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

It’s one more way that high quality custom home builders like Travars Built Homes customize your home to fit your lifestyle – along with the ability for your home to perform efficiently with lower utility bills, with your Eco-Select certificate from Southern Energy Management.

Car charging stations can be added to your new custom home during the design phase – one of the most interesting and fun parts of your home build.

Travars Built Homes can build just about anything into your new home. Just let us know what you’d like built in – and where you want your Charging Station! We also help you find a lot in Chatham County or anywhere else within about an hour of RTP.

5 Home offices that work for you

What you build into your home office can be a game changer. Here are 5 home office designs from North Carolina custom homes built by Travars Built Homes.

#1 Home Office Design: Professional Office with everything built in

Take care of business with a home office designed for everything that needs to get done: Built ins. Interactive spaces. Windows and lighting. Oak hardwood flooring.

Built In Bookcase Walls | Mebane NC New Homes

#2 Home Office Design: Sunny side out

Don’t want to feel locked down while you work? Add walls of windows to your home office, to let the sunshine in and allow you to see everything happening outside! Building a custom home means you can add as many windows as you want, depending on the plan and the builder.

North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

#3 Home Office Design: Private bathroom

Build an en-suite home office with your own private bathroom attached, for the ultimate personal space as you work. This office also has a massive walk in closet for storing business supplies and files.

North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

#4 Home Office Design: Library

Wall to wall built in bookcases with furniture cabinetry like this can enable your home office to organize books, manuals, and other necessities so you can find everything at a glance. A ceiling fan enables you to further control your environment.

North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

#5 Home Office Design: Window Treatments

There are a huge variety of window treatments that can be applied to your home office, like what you see here. This can provide an open feeling that makes your office space feel more spacious and inviting.

North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

Dog Friendly Places to Eat

Out with your four-legged Bestie, looking for places to eat that are dog friendly? Here are more than 10 options in Pittsboro where you can both drop in for a casual meal.

Here is where you can find some of those top places. All of these eateries will greet you and your dog with a smile. Some even provide water bowls and doggie treats, including, among others, Carolina Brewery, Pittsboro Roadhouse, Root Cellar, House of Hops, and Modern Life Deli & and Drinks.

The Root Cellar, 35 Suttles Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Outdoor tables at The Root Cellar. Dog friendly patio in Pittsboro at Penguin Place.

Carolina Brewery and Grill, 120 Lowes Dr, Pittsboro, NC 27312

The Pittsboro Roadhouse, 39 West st, Pittsboro, NC 27312

These are great places to socialize for you and your dog.

Keeping your dog close by and always on a leash at all of these establishments is the best practice. Use good Dog Etiquette and make sure Sam/ Fido/ Miley are being polite.

Want to build a dog friendly home in Pittsboro, Chatham County or the Raleigh region? There are hundreds of floor plans we can build for you – with whatever you’d like us to create for your entire family – including your pets.

Contact Travars Built Homes with your building questions. And learn more about what Pittsboro has to offer.

Top Things to Do in Pittsboro – Visit Rock Ridge Park

Wondering where to go to play frisbee golf in Pittsboro, NC? Getting outside and going to the park has a whole new meaning at Rock Ridge Park, just a few miles from the center of Pittsboro.

Things to Do in Pittsboro - Visit Rock Ridge Park

Things to do in Pittsboro at Rock Ridge Park include an 18 hole disc golf course, paved jogging trail, picnic area and play ground. Rock Ridge Park is a fifty two acre neighborhood park set in rolling hills of mature hardwoods.

Things to do in Pittsboro - Disc Golf at Rock Ridge Park

This is a terrific frisbee golf course that winds through scenic rolling terrain, designed by John Houck. He’s the Head of Course Design for the International Disc Golf Center, and has designed more championship disc golf courses than anyone else living today, so you know this is going to be good!

Bring something to write with if you want to keep score – cards are provided. If you’ve never played before, it’s a great time to start! Keep it simple at first, borrow a couple discs from a friend or pick up a “starter” disc, even Walmart carries them in the sports section. You’ll enjoy following the trails and seeing how close to the goal you can send your disc.

Rock Ridge Park picnic area - things to do in Pittsboro

Top things to do in Pittsboro include some great ways to stay in shape, for adults and for kids. Check out the teeter totter, trolley, slides, and benches, which can augment your CrossFit routine. Not pictured is a wonderful playground for the kids, with a very creative “natural theme” play structure, a trolley to ride, and much more.

Exercise and play area at Rock Ridge Park

Living in Chatham County can offer a relaxed environment. You can enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside, much closer to the amenities of the Raleigh metro area than you might think. Check out some other top things to do in Pittsboro, here:

Considering building a new home in the Pittsboro area? Travars Built Homes can help you find a lot and work with you to create your custom home in Chatham County or anywhere within about an hour of RTP.

Top Things to Do in Pittsboro NC – Haw River

Haw River offers a great opportunity for outdoor fun that makes you feel like you’re in the mountains – right in the heart of Pittsboro, NC – with more than 1,000 acres to explore by foot, bike, canoe, or kayak.

North Carolina State Parks offers some of the top things to do in Pittsboro and Chatham County. The park areas extend along both sides of the Haw River, with its Lower Haw River State Natural Area – with access points where you can park in designated places along Hwy 15-501 and Hwy 64 and put in your kayak, walk a trail or snap some photos.

Hiking

Lower Haw River State Natural Area Trail follows the Haw River. It’s 7 mile stretch and is rated as a “moderate” hike, along a path that is not always clearly defined.

The trail includes 3 creek crossings (with water that could be waist deep, depending on time of year) as well as a mix of dirt and rocky terrain that is popular as a training run.

  • Lower Haw River Southern Trailhead: Look for a gravel parking lot just east of the bridge on eastbound Hwy 64. The trail is under the bridge.
  • Lower Haw River Northern Trailhead: Look for parking just below the trailhead on Bynum Church Road. The trail starts at the gate.

Kayaking/canoeing

Top things to do in Pittsboro include kayaking and canoeing. The 3 and a half mile stretch of the Haw River starting at Bynum Beach consists of Class I and II rapids.

Heavy rains can greatly impact this stretch, so whitewater paddlers need to be cautious and aware of conditions.

  • Hwy 15-501 Bynum Dam parking lot allows access for canoes and kayaks above the dam, where the water is typically flat for about a mile.
  • Robeson Creek has a full boat launch. The Haw River can be reached in about a mile, via Robeson Creek.
  • Hwy 64 Haw River Canoe Access has a parking lot, but is recommended for experts due to the more challenging navigation at that point.

Photography

Bring your camera, you might capture some of the wildlife, flowers or changing of seasons. Things to do in Chatham County include some great opportunities for photos.

Living in the Pittsboro area of Chatham County can offer a relaxed environment. You can enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside, much closer to the frenzy of the city than you might think.

Considering building a new home in Pittsboro or Chatham County? Travars Built Homes can help you find a lot and work with you to create your custom home in Chatham County or anywhere within about an hour of RTP.

What are the benefits of a side load garage?

Side Load Garage Benefit #1

A side load garage can give your home a lot of benefits, including great curbside appeal. Placing the garage on the side will make way for windows on the front face of your home. A side load garage can also increase the perceived size of the home (instead of a big garage door that emphasizes vehicles).

White and Black Modern Farmhouse Exterior | Mebane NC New Homes

Side Load Garage Benefit #2

A side load garage can have a sweeping driveway into the side of the home instead of going straight in, which can give it a look of grandeur.

Benefit #3

A side load garage can be used in conjunction with a front facing carriage garage. A dual garage layout will separate vehicles from storage or shop space, and keep the rest of your home looking proportional.

Travars Built Homes can also add a third garage bay to nearly any floor plan, including carriage garages.

Design Build Custom Home Builder

Benefit #4

A side load garage can be positioned so that there is a courtyard in front of the home, providing more space for play or parking.

Hands-on process to building a custom home

When you work with TBH, we create your home together – the way you want it:

  • Modifying your floor plan to expand, turn, tweak, or change things you’d like to do differently
  • Creating secret passageways, secret pantries or other hideaways
  • Including aging in place, accessible, or special needs features
  • Creating special spaces – bigger pantries, more storage, more outdoor living areas… let’s talk about how to create the elements that matter most

Contact TBH to learn more:

    Home Plan Type:
    One storyTwo StoryMain Floor Primary Suite

    Sq Ft:
    2000 - 25002500 - 30003000 - 4000+

    Build Budget w/ site work (Lot additional):
    500 - 600K600 - 700K700 - 800K800 - 900K900K - Mil+