Alexa and Phillip Falconer purchased a 40-acre parcel of land in Waterville, Washington, in 2022 for $125,000, marking the beginning of their first homebuilding project. The couple, who were living in Texas at the time and working remotely, had long aspired to live in the Pacific Northwest and had never before owned or built a house.

Earlier this year, they completed construction on a custom-designed, two-bedroom modern home spanning 1,176 square feet. The total cost of building the house was $861,000, in line with their initial budget. The Falconers emphasized that they had initially believed custom homebuilding was only attainable for wealthier individuals, but their experience demonstrated otherwise.

The couple provided their architects with a list of desired features, including a sunken living room and ample windows to capture views of the surrounding fields, which are scattered with basalt boulders. However, they did not specify the architectural style or the materials to be used, instead offering their designers a broad degree of creative freedom.

Alexa Falconer, 31, who works in corporate sales for a manufacturing company, described this trust in the architects as a key factor in the project’s success. Phillip Falconer, 33, an accountant, noted the feasibility of building a custom home within their financial means through careful planning and flexibility.

Situated in the scenic Wenatchee Valley, the property exemplifies a growing trend of remote workers pursuing homeownership and custom construction outside urban centers, enabled by the ability to work from anywhere. The Falconers’ example underscores that with strategic budgeting and openness to design collaboration, building a personalized home can be accessible to a wider range of buyers.