Sasha and Samuel went to high school together in New Orleans, La., and after graduation they took their best-friend status to the next level. They married 18 months later and settled into a 700-square-foot newlywed apartment, but soon embarked on a house hunt to fulfill their dream of home ownership.
“It wasn’t easy, Sasha said. “We searched and searched, but all the houses we looked at were too outdated for the price people were asking.”
The pre-owned homes they could afford all needed work, and the more of them they saw, the more their thoughts turned to a house that was fresh and new, a place to root their married life. But could that vision jibe with their budget?
“My husband was so skeptical at first, because he thought building a house would be out-of-this-world expensive,” Sasha said.
Fortunately, he was willing to take a look, and the couple paid a visit to the Schumacher Homes Design Center in Baton Rouge-New Orleans.
“All it took to win him over was to go to the consultation and see the model home,” she said. “He realized it was no more expensive than buying a regular house and spending money to fix it up.”
They decided to build because they wanted a house they could customize, the couple said, and chose a Schumacher home because of Schumacher’s array of options and floor plans.
“I loved how they gave us a visual on things, and offered options and services that others didn’t,” Sasha said.
After touring it, the couple chose the La Belle Modern Farmhouse plan.
“I love the farmhouse style,” Sasha said. “The La Belle house plan felt like the right style and size for just my husband, myself and our two dogs.”
The three-bed, two-bath La Belle design also offered special touches that are rare in homes its size, including a covered porch off the kitchen for al fresco dining, a centrally located laundry room and generous owners’ suite. Sasha and Samuel upped the convenience of the home by adding a garage, but made few changes otherwise.
“We didn’t really have to customize too much,” Sasha said. “The house plan was already open concept like I wanted, so we didn’t have too much to do.”
Finding a place to build their new home wasn’t quite as easy, she said. They had no preference on the location, but still struggled for months to find the right lot until their realtor –Samuel’s aunt – found just the spot in Covington, La., right across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway from New Orleans.
“I’m so glad she helped us find it,” Sasha said. “It’s in a beautiful neighborhood, and everyone was so nice. We would often visit the site, and everyone would say hello, and welcome to the neighborhood, even though there was no house on the lot.”
From then on, it was smooth sailing thanks to their Schumacher Homes Sales Coordinator, who offered advice and guidance to the first-time homeowners as they selected colors, cabinets and finishes.
“She was very informative and patient with us, and there to help us every step of the way,” Sasha said.
The important kitchen-counter decision was one example.
“I originally picked out a countertop at the Schumacher Design Center, but had to change it for financial reasons,” she said. The Sales Coordinator “found an alternate one that fit our budget and we are so glad, because it’s way better than the one we originally chose. We were blown away when it was put in at the house.”
Like so many Schumacher clients, Sasha’s favorite room is the kitchen.
“I love to cook, and I love the huge island,” she said. “It just looks so elegant.”
Sasha and Samuel love the space and privacy of their new home, and the fact that it was built just for them.
“To have our first home be a brand-new house that no one has ever lived in before is amazing, and we definitely got our money’s worth,” Sasha said. “When we got the keys, we walked in and fell in love with our new home. We had smiles on our faces all day.”
With their home building journey complete, Sasha said they recommend Schumacher 100 percent, and their advice to others interested in building is simple.
“Trust the process and go with Schumacher Homes,” she said. “It is so worth it.”
About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 32 markets in 14 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends. Stop in today, be inspired and receive your no obligation price quote.
