Building
If you are dead-set on building new, then I cannot stress this enough. Design it with an architect, unless it will be a simple design. It will cost you ~$30K up front on a $300K house, but you will get it back in the satisfaction and quality of the house in the long run. If you can find a reputable builder who has incorporated architect services, then that can work for you as well.
As far as design goes, the sky and your wallet are the limit. I am a subsurface construction consultant by trade, so I am bias towards perfecting the foundation of your home, because you only get one shot at it. Besides that, insulate your house as much as you can afford to. A house that is built correctly can be heated/cooled comfortably for very little investment.
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