We plan to build a new lake home this year. It is our second home, and we made so many mistakes with our first (25 yrs ago) I really want to get this one right. Although we plan to use an architect, I'm wondering if there is any kind of software out there that is simple to use and would help me pull together everything that I want in the house before meeting with an architect? I've looked at hundreds of plans and can't find exactly what I want.
Thanks

It takes a lot of work just to learn a design program. Your energies could be better invested in searching for the right designer/architect and communicating with him/her.

If you were my client it would be valuable for us to sit at table while you showed me those books and pointed out what things you liked and what you did not like. We would develope a list of priorities. I would understand not only what you like, but why.

it would then be my job to "pull it all topgether for you" CAD is only a tool. It does not do the design work for you

Excellence is its own reward!

Thanks for the advice!