EPISODE 55
So You Want to Build a House…Now What? with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 55: So You Want to Build a House…Now What?
Building Smart: Staying on Budget, Choosing the Right Land, and Avoiding Costly Mistakes
This episode is a practical guide to building a home wisely, from deciding whether building is even the right path to choosing land, picking a builder, and protecting your budget. Adriane Stibbs shares nearly 30 years of perspective as a builder’s wife and real estate broker, with specific advice for anyone considering a custom build, especially in southeastern Wisconsin.We discuss the realities of spec, semi-custom, and custom homes, plus the questions that matter most before you pour a foundation. The episode also emphasizes realistic expectations, healthy communication, and keeping family and faith at the center of the process.
● Adriane shares why building a home can be a blessing or a major source of stress, depending on expectations, budget, and personality.
● She explains how to tell whether building is right for you, including how decision fatigue, flexibility, and design preferences affect the process.
● We discuss the differences between spec homes, semi-custom homes, and custom homes, and how each affects price, control, and complexity.
● Adriane explains why asking for a simple cost per square foot is misleading, since garages, porches, finishes, and landscaping can distort the number.
● She breaks down what to look for when buying land, including zoning, septic suitability, perk tests, wells, drainage, easements, utilities, and county rules.
● She shares why the cheapest lot is often not the least expensive place to build once site work, septic, and well costs are factored in.
● Adriane stresses the importance of choosing a builder whose business model matches your project, especially for country lots or custom builds.
● We discuss how to vet a builder through references, lender feedback, title company insight, financial stability, timeline consistency, and organization.
● She explains how change orders can affect budget, financing, and timing, and why written communication matters throughout the build.
● Adriane shares how to spend money wisely in a home, prioritizing kitchens, foundations, windows, insulation, HVAC, and functional spaces over trends and unnecessary square footage.
● She warns against designing for Pinterest boards, HGTV ideas, or trendy finishes that may not age well.
● The episode closes with encouragement to protect marriage, family, and peace during the build, and to remember that the home is a blessing but not the foundation of life.
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Listen to Higher Hope Episode 55 – So You Want to Build a House…Now What?
Who’s in this Episode?
Adriane Stuebs – Higher Hope Podcast Host, Owner and Broker of Shine Realty, Wife of a Builder
Action items
● Check zoning, septic, well, and utility requirements before buying land.
● Ask builders about references, financial stability, timeline consistency, and change order policy.
● Get every important change in writing.
● Build for your family and budget, not for trends or social media inspiration.
● Expect delays, stay flexible, and protect your relationships during the process.
Episode Notes by Chloe Pfeiffer
Let’s Connect on Social Media!
- Follow Higher Hope podcast on Instagram: @higherhope.podcast
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- Check out Shine Realty on Instagram: @shinerealty_
- Like & Follow Shine Realty on Facebook: Shine Realty
About the Higher Hope Podcast
Higher Hope shares heartfelt conversations with everyday people–moms, professionals, creatives–who live out their faith in every season of life. Whether you’re walking through a season of uncertainty or simply seeking inspiration, this show is here to uplift and remind you that hope is never out of reach.
Tune in and join a growing community grounded in faith, strengthened by stories, and united by the unwavering power of hope.
More Episodes from the Higher Hope Podcast:
SEASON 1
Episode 1 – Meet the Host & Heart behind Higher Hope Podcast
Episode 2 – The Courage to be Different with Farah Stuebs
Episode 3 – Purposeful Grieving: Finding Hope Through Loss with Dr. Stacy Jensen
Episode 4 – Fixing Engines, Mending Hearts with Cindy Stillman
Episode 5 – When God Redirects Our Plans with Chloe Peiffer
Episode 6 – Healthy Living & Hormones with Amanda Haar
Episode 7 – Faith that Doesn’t Fade: My Dad’s Legacy through Disability with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 8 – Unfulfilled, Yet Fully Known with Alana Enger
Episode 9 – Faith in a Foreign Land with Elise Meier
Episode 10 – Faith, Lipstick, & Loving People with Nicki Hill
Episode 11 – Faith, Family, & Big Leaps with Stacy Schweighardt
Episode 12 – Marriage, Creativity, & Motherhood with Renee Peiffer
Episode 13 – Making it Work: Motherhood, Career, & Homeschooling with Val Breit
Episode 14 – Words that Strengthen the Soul with Linda Buxa
Episode 15 – Light in the Midst of Loss with Jill Nelson
Episode 16 – When Faith Becomes Your Lifeline with Jessica Mlsna
Episode 17 – Growing Dreams with Maureen Lawrenz
Episode 18 – Morning Routines, Faith, & Motivation with Farah & Adriane Stuebs
Episode 19 – Decluttered and Defined by Grace with Maria Ewings
Episode 20 – God Knows Your Name with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 21 – When God Writes the Story: Finding Joy After Pain with Stephanie Jaramillo
Episode 22 – When Hustle Becomes an Idol with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 23 – The Addiction No One Talks About with Kristy Wegner
Episode 24 – Winter is Coming…Is Your Home Ready? with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 25 – Level Up Your Wealth: Stacy Schweighardt on Real Estate Investing
Episode 26 – 6 Things Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs to Know
Episode 27 – Season 1 Finale: The Mic-Drop Moments of the Year with Chloe Peiffer
Episode 28 – The Heart of Christmas – A Biblical Reflection with Adriane Stuebs
SEASON 2
Episode 29 – When New Year’s Resolutions Fail, Grace Remains with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 30 – Fertility, Faith, & Hormones with Amanda Haar
Episode 31 – Confidently Navigating Perimenopause with Amanda Haar
Episode 32 – Fitness, Faith, and Finding Your People with Katie Ryan
Episode 33 – Downsizing and Making Room for What Matters Most with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 34 – Falling (back) in Love with Reading with Missy McKenna
Episode 35 – Styling Jefferson with Christina Pickett
Episode 36 – Planting Purpose with Kim Kornstedt
Episode 37 – Behind the Bling with Heidi Black
Episode 38 – Trusting What’s Next as a Global Missionary with Sarah Shoenfeld
Episode 39 – Healing in Marriage After Betrayal with Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith
Episode 40 – The Family Hustle with Farah Stuebs and Katie Ryan
Episode 41 – Faithful in the Kitchen with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 42 – A Mom’s Journey of Faith & Business with Alex Heideman
Episode 43 – Faith through Chronic Pain and Pregnancy with Whitney Beilke
Episode 44 – Confessions of a Realtor with Ginger Ramsey
Episode 45 – Home is Who You’re With featuring Olivia Heckman
Episode 46 – Your Financial Game Plan with Tia Tidd
Episode 47 – Bringing People Together with MahJong featuring Farah Stuebs
Episode 48 – The Art of Gathering: Connection Over Perfection with Adriane Stuebs
Episode 49 – Never Too Young to be Used by God with Ruby Quandt
Episode 50 – Celebrating Our 50th Episode (and 1 Year) with the Team Behind the Scenes of Higher Hope
Episode 51 – Is Your Body Stuck in Survival Mode with Amanda Haar
Episode 52 – She Bought Her First Home at 19 with Farah Stuebs
Episode 53 – The Heart Behind the Badge with Jessica Johnson
Episode 54 – The Magic of Storytime with Carrie Ammerman
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