We are going through a builder in a pre-existing subdivision.
We've been in our home for 20 years as of the 29th of this month, and we love our home. But we made the decision to move to a bigger home, sort of a retirement present to ourselves I guess. So we started looking at homes in the area that were already built. Then we started looking at buying some property and getting a builder. While we were doing that we were looking at model homes to get ideas. We looked at dozens of different homes and then saw the model for the one we ended up buying. It was like five minutes to 6pm and they were closing up. We dashed through the model and loved it, ended up going the next day for a longer look. They had just opened up some land in an entirely new section that weekend so we were able to get the cream of the crop in lot location as far as I'm concerned. So after some discussion we decided to buy.
It was actually a good compromise for the wife and I. She's a people-person and loves to have close neighbors (she comes from a huge family). I'd be just as happy on 5 acres in the woods. Well, best of both worlds for us. She has the neighbors and the woods and wildlife are a short walk from the house, we're actually surrounded by woods and wetlands on three sides of the area where we're building. Plus we're very close to family living in the area.
The subdivision has over 20 miles of hiking trails. They are opening up a huge trail in our section that goes way back into the woods. Plus a bike ride away we have two pools, gym, cafe and club house as well as parks and fitness stations. All in the neighborhood. So that's the plan.