Much has changed in the world of home designs in the last few decades. With the advancement of technology, more home developers are faced with an increasing need to be flexible in the models they offer to their buyers. For many years, home builders were able to consider the building of standard ranches, colonials, capes, and contemporary homes as a traditional way to sell a home to new buyers.
However, much of the home construction industry has changed in the last twenty years. Today’s builders must have a much greater awareness of how to create a home design that offers buyers greater diversity and a feeling that their home meets modern standards. Increasingly, buyers are looking for improved home designs that provide better, more modernized perks.
The Top Five New Features Homebuyers Want Most:
Basic Design Changes- One of the biggest changes in home building is the attitude home buyers have about investing in a new home. Builders are increasingly faced with buyers who are looking for homes that have more personality than traditional homes with few variations. Most buyers today are looking for designs that offer some non-traditional upgraded features in their home. That is why many of today’s home designs include special features as standard options instead listed as feature upgrades. Options such as window seats in second-floor foyers, arched entryways, covered front porch, center isle kitchens, built-in closet organizers as well as built-in shelving, cabinets and hutches in laundry rooms, foyers and dining rooms.
Home Security- This is another area that has changed significantly in standard home designs. When people are looking at investing in new homes, often they are considering how they can ensure that tech built-ins are part of the house. This means a new residential development is likely to include a single-unit package locker for home deliveries, a video doorbell, and smart locks as standard features.
Energy Efficiency- Energy efficiency has always been an essential accent in new homes. While energy-efficient windows and appliances are considered standard, there are some fantastic new energy-efficient items that have become commonplace in new homes. Items such as water economizing toilets, faucets and showerheads have practically become standard for all new home construction in areas where drought and limited water supply are major concerns. Additionally, the use of LED recessed lighting and hanging lamps have also become significant energy-efficient additions because of how well they conserve lighting energy costs.
More Open Span Living- One of the most significant interior design changes has been a shift to more open span designs with fewer hallways. Since the average hallway span is three to three and a half feet, eliminating the need for hallway space in the first-floor design allows for more significant living space. Newer home designs often feature a square floor design with the kitchen, living room, dining room flowing into each other without a hallway. Instead, they are transitioned with arched entryways for a greater sense of style.
Outdoor Living Spaces- This trend started in Europe decades ago. Now that it has hit the mainland U.S., it has become very trendy. Outdoor living is created by taking covered patios that are attached or detached from the home and creating living space. These areas come complete with fully wired outside electrical outlets, indoor-outdoor flooring, and lighting. Additionally, ceiling fans, a built-in grill, and mini kitchen area are commonplace for many of these areas. One of the most likely upgrades for outdoor living space is the addition of a custom-built fieldstone or brick fireplace.
While many of the expectations of the modern homebuyer are similar to those of the past, some are not. Whether it’s advanced tech, concern for eco-friendly living or some combination of the two, property developers have to be willing to meet consumer demands and able to deliver on them.
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