Choosing the Site and Builder

The Gigliottis chose a five-acre property that is both "out in the country" (they wake up to deer in the front yard) and only a short drive from shopping and the freeways.

Whether you build a luxury home or buy an existing one, location is key. "Even though it is custom-built, you always have to think about resale because things can happen even if you plan on staying there for a lifetime," Starliper says.

As for choosing a builder, interview two or three builders because not everybody gets along personality-wise, suggests Starliper. "Pick a builder that you have confidence in, that matches your personality, that you feel like you can work well with, and then get an architect with the same qualities -- somebody who can see your dream. If you can't communicate well enough to put that down on paper, that won't work either," she says.

Gigliotti worked with an architect to design a "European and old-world-looking" home. When planning her dream house, Gigliotti did a lot of research, collecting and studying floor plans. She had no professional design experience, but was inspired by her passion for studying houses. She created a scrapbook of features she wanted in her dream home -- from vaulted cathedral ceilings to an open, continuous one-level floor plan to exquisite detailing.

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