Are you considering building a house in Southern Oregon? Whether you currently live here or you’re from thousands of miles away, you might have some questions before purchasing a plot of land. We can help answer some!
6 FAQs About Building a House in Southern Oregon, Answered!
Here are the top six questions we hear about building a house in Southern Oregon.
Is Southern Oregon a Good Place to Live?
Yes! Southern Oregon is a great place to live for people of all ages. Here are a few of the most prominent benefits and features of our beautiful region:
- A wide range of gorgeous natural surroundings. Mountains, valleys, forests, vineyards, rivers — you name it. Southern Oregon brings a wealth of natural beauty and plenty of outdoor recreation activities along with it.
- A mix of rural and urban. Southern Oregon is mostly rural, with a mid-sized city or two sprinkled in. If you’d like to build your house in more of a “rural” environment but still be near “city” amenities, it’s a great spot for you.
- A moderate climate. Located in the United States’ Pacific Northwest, Southern Oregon has a moderate climate where residents experience the best of all four seasons throughout the year — and there is comfort, beauty, and fun to be had in all of them!
- A great selection of local eats and drinks. If you’re a foodie, Southern Oregon won’t disappoint. There are hundreds of restaurants, food trucks, wineries, breweries, and more to try.
- A vibrant art and entertainment scene. Southern Oregon is home to the largest concentration of live performance venues of any comparably sized region on the West Coast. Come to enjoy music, theatre, comedy, films, art galleries, and more.
Where Are the Best Places to Live in Southern Oregon?
Within the greater region of Southern Oregon, there are a few towns and cities that stand out as the best places to live: Jacksonville, Medford, and Ashland. Each of these places is a great choice, but they’re all a bit different from each other — so you may be more inclined to one of them based on your wants, needs, and lifestyle.
- Jacksonville, Oregon is a historic small town with a big heart. Named one of the Best Small Towns in America, it’s known for its quietness and serenity. The town is surrounded by stunning views and landscapes, and it offers residents the opportunity to live amongst some of Southern Oregon’s most prized features: flourishing vineyards and orchards. Although it’s a quaint little town, Jacksonville is just miles away from city amenities.
- Medford, Oregon is a mid-sized city with a population of about 78,000 residents. It’s continuing to grow, with various new businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues popping up each year. It’s a great place for new families or young professionals to purchase their first home, as it’s in the center of the action in Southern Oregon.
- Ashland, Oregon is a smaller city with a population of about 21,000 residents. It has great amenities and is surrounded by gorgeous landscapes. However, it’s a better place to buy a home in Southern Oregon, rather than build one. It may be difficult to find a bare lot to build your dream home on, and you won’t have as much space to do it as you would in a less-populated town like Jacksonville. It also has taxes (5% food and beverage tax) that you won’t find in many other places in the state, and it’s further from the airport and larger metro area in Medford.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Southern Oregon?
When you look at the average cost to build a house by state, Oregon falls somewhere in the middle of the list. However, the total cost for your new build can depend on a number of factors, including:
- Where you live — City properties typically cost more than rural properties. However, if you’re interested in a rural property, the key is finding one where all the utilities are planned and ready to go. Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of time and money installing them.
- Your neighborhood — If you build your house in a neighborhood, you may have to pay an additional cost for whatever features and amenities it provides — think HOA fees, gated features, parks, pools, etc. Depending on your lifestyle, those costs may be worth it in the long run, but it’s something to include in your budget.
- Custom features — Are you planning to build a custom home? If so, you’ll want to budget extra for the custom features, materials, and finishes you want to include.
- Your builder — Simply put, some contractors charge less than others. However, it’s important to consider more than just price when choosing a contractor, as you want to make sure they can build your dream home and all that’s included in it.
How Long Does It Take to Build a House in Southern Oregon?
Once you have all of your plans and designs finalized (and approved, if you have an HOA that requires it), it takes an average of 7-8 months to build a house in Southern Oregon. However, this timeline can vary based on factors like:
- Size of your house
- Custom features, materials, and finishes
- Building permit approvals
- Labor availability
- Materials availability
- Weather
What Permits Do I Need to Build a House in Southern Oregon?
Permits are required for any construction project that includes electrical, structural, plumbing, mechanical, and/or boiler work. To accommodate these things, the main four permits to get (if applicable to your project) are:
- Building permit
- Electrical permit
- Mechanical permit
- Plumbing permit
In most cases, your contractor can help you get these permits, but you should check with them to ensure they do before starting any work.
How Do I Find a Good Home Builder in Southern Oregon?
There are plenty of quality home builders in Southern Oregon, and there are many ways to find them. You can look online, ask your friends and family for recommendations, contact the local homebuilders association, and more. If you’re asking us, you can’t go wrong using our very own Matt Bryant and his Riverdell Construction team!
Once you have a list started, it’s important to narrow down your options and find the best builder for you and your home. To do that, we recommend taking the following things into consideration:
- Qualifications and experience — You need to know that they can build the home you want and that they have experience doing it plenty of times before.
- Insurance coverage — Make sure they’re properly insured, so you can protect yourself and your home from liability.
- Reviews and testimonials — Any great home builder with experience should be able to provide reviews, testimonials, and portfolios from past homeowners and projects.
- Communication style — You need a home builder that communicates promptly, professionally, clearly, and honestly. Schedule an interview or consultation to chat with them.
Build Your Beautiful Southern Oregon Home at The Vineyards at Stage Pass
Get the most out of your new Oregon home by building at Stage Pass. Our gated, master-planned community is located in the heart of Southern Oregon wine country and is surrounded by hundreds of beautiful outdoor attractions. Explore available lots on our website or contact us to request a private tour.