Architectural Designs

How much should I budget to build a nice but not fancy home in the SF Bay Area?

We're thinking of building a new home in the SF Bay Area and were wondering how much to budget for a 2000 sq. ft. home. How much should we budget for the following? We want to know how much land cost we can afford. * Not fancy, but a nice SFH * Green building techniques used * Architect designed * 2000 sq. ft.

Public Comments

1. Location, location, location. Huge differential in areas. Green buildings a premium and land very pricey. Mid-peninsula tract home (Eichler) on 1/8 acre is 1.5 million (not green). Outlying areas less money but very expensive pockets: Los Gatos, Walnut Creek, Ross. West Menlo Park, newer architect designed, small lot 2M+. Check Zillow.com but use Firefox. Prices are dropping and with a cooling market, more skilled workers should become available. A few areas (San Carlos) had programs to promote energy positive homes. Governor seems pro alternative energy and programs may expand -- something worth looking into.
2. Start at about $1 million and work your way upl
3. hope your rich!
4. Depends on where in the Bay Area. It will be highest in SF, lower on parts of Oakland, even lower as you go inland. Some friends of mine built "the greenest house in SF" (reference below). It cost $350 a square foot. Average building costs are $300-400 square foot in SF.
5. SanFranciso Bay area?! Start at 600K for basic home, I would guess.