Pooja and John were happy on their rural property north of Columbus, Ohio, but the house itself was getting tight. The ranch-style home they’d purchased was the right choice when they were paying off student loans and their family was smaller, but with two growing children and two already large dogs, the couple decided the time had come to make a change.
“We’re from Columbus, and my entire family lives within 15 minutes,” Pooja says. “We had a lot that we loved, and we knew we wanted to stay in the Olentangy school district.”
Still, they did some house hunting, and went back and forth for a while on whether to buy or build. When they finally decided on a custom home, they knew just where they’d put it.
“We actually built on our own land,” Pooja says. “Our ranch home was on two parcels. Once we had paid enough on it to separate it from our mortgage, we decided to build on it.”
Close to family? Check. School district? Check. Builder? Schumacher Homes.
The couple visited the Columbus North Design Studio, and chose Schumacher, they say, because of the value and budget flexibility the company, and its process, offered.
“We gave our designer a list of things we wanted, and she picked the layout that would require the least number of changes,” Pooja remembers.
They found what they were looking for in the Aurora Classic, a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home of just over 2,300 square feet, but the façade wasn’t what they had in mind.
“She quickly suggested a plan with an exterior look we liked, and combined the two,” Pooja says.
The couple had clear priorities for their home, and were able to incorporate them all in the Aurora Classic.
“Pets and kids were a big factor,” Pooja says. “Our laundry room now contains a small dog shower, which also works well for dirty kids, and can be closed off with pocket doors if needed.”
Their personal touches also included the addition of the sunroom Pooja has always wanted, and a balcony off the bedroom for husband John. The couple was also looking to the future as they planned their new home.
“My husband and I are both adamant that if our parents are unable to live on their own due to finances or health or just age, we would rather have them in our house. I grew up with my grandfather living with us, and I have so many good memories,” Pooja says. “I think it is important for all the generations to have that connection, and additional help.”
With that in mind, they included a half-bath between the playroom and den, so either – or both – spaces could be converted to bedrooms if the need arose, in which case they could build a new den above the garage. The dog wash area could also be converted into a full shower.
Perhaps because of the ways they customized their forever home, they were especially grateful for Andy, their Schumacher Construction Manager.
“During building, Andy was a standout,” Pooja says. “He was very communicative about the whole process, and we always knew what was going on.”
Now that the family has settled into their new house, Pooja has been enjoying making it a home.
“I love making progress on unpacking and decorating,” she says, adding that building on the second parcel of their original lot has given them a beautiful, peaceful setting.
“It’s surrounded by trees,” she says. “It’s our little oasis.”
While there’s still plenty of activity inside, the extra space and thoughtful layout of the house accommodates the family in ways the little ranch couldn’t. They’ve dedicated a room for the kids on the first floor so there are no longer toys strewn throughout the house, and both children have their own upstairs bedrooms that they’ve been able to decorate as they like. Even the dogs are happy.
“The dogs have more places to hide from the kids,” Pooja says, “and I can work out, cook or start laundry in the morning without waking anyone up.”
Not surprisingly, Pooja’s favorite space is the sunroom.
“It has a great view of our backyard,” she says. “We see lots of wildlife, and it lets in plenty of natural light.”
Pooja and John’s foresight in assessing their options and choosing a builder have paid off, and the couple recommends advanced planning for the features and spaces that will best serve the home’s occupants – current and future, pets and all.
“It’s a long process, but it is absolutely worth it,” Pooja says. “If you think about your priorities in a home, you can easily build a home you’ll love forever.”
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 19,000 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.