What features do you really want for your new home?
When working with a Houston custom home builder, you have the opportunity to create the house of your dreams. Depending on what’s important to you, there are so many features and details to consider – master bathroom layout, closet and organization, garage door style, kitchen cabinets, and everything in between. Sure, there are a lot of things to consider but when choosing which features to include in your new home consider those that can make your life comfortable, convenient, and satisfying.
In a 2020 study of 3,247 recent and prospective home buyers by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), these are the most wanted features in a home:
Moreover, the study also mentioned that 60% of buyers would prefer to buy a newly-built home over an existing home, which is the largest share since 2007. So, whether you’re about to start building a new home or are curious about what kinds of features you could put into it, read on for our top 5 new construction feature ideas.
There are many cool things to add when building a house. Do you know what features to consider when building a house?
Top 5 Features to Consider When Building a Custom Home
1. Smart Home Features
Smart home technology is a must-have in every home. Not only that it increases convenience, but also the security through the use of network connected appliances, equipment, and systems. Some of the home features that you may want to incorporate in your home:
- Smart thermostats that adjusts to your temperature needs
- Door locks controlled by an app on your phone
- Smart Appliances
- Motion sensor lightning
- Smart security systems connected to the internet
- Wireless Charging
2. Dual Kitchen Workspaces
An open, and organized kitchen with a walk-in pantry and energy star rated appliances are just the start of a kitchen. The perfect kitchen layout empathizes on the fact that this area is one of the busiest part of the house. A kitchen with dual workspaces still has one oven or stovetop (or you can have two if you want). The difference is that it incorporates extra cupboards, two sinks, and wider prep areas. The idea is to have a dedicated workspace if ever you decide to cook and bake at the same time, which makes preparation of multiple dishes a breeze.
3. A Mud Room with Dog Wash Station
A mudroom is definitely a must for homeowners and homebuyers who have got kids and/or pets. A mudroom doesn’t have to be big or extravagant. A small room with a place to hang your wet coat or take off your muddy shoes will come in handy. And if you have a medium-sized dog who’s scared of a bath, a mud room with a dog bathing station is one of the cool things to add in your list of features.
4. Laundry Rooms
According NAHB’s top most wanted list (out of 200+ features), a laundry room is the most wanted feature in a home (both rated essential or desirable by 87% of buyers). Consider an upstairs laundry room with a window to brighten up the space and make doing laundry less of a chore. Depending on your home’s layout, think about having an en suite laundry room and another on the second floor, especially if majority of the bedrooms will be upstairs.
5. Outdoor Living Space
Having an energy-efficient indoor design doesn’t complete a home, especially when you live in the Houston-area. Outdoor living is more than just having a well-manicured backyard. Outdoor living is all about creating a useable space for the whole family that may have a kitchen, a living room, and/or a play area. Depending on your goal, consider creating a dedicated space that caters to a specific function
Ready to take a deep dive into planning for your custom home build?
Some of these must-have features might not be available if you were to buy a preowned house. So, it’s fitting to get really creative and particular in choosing which features focus on maximizing your investment and have the ability to create a calm and personal space. When building a custom home, consider the 6 features above to make your new home a more enjoyable place to live in. You don’t’ have to follow the trend or what your friends have in their homes. The key is add features that will make your home more valuable, low-maintenance, and high performing. After all, your home is a place where you return after a stressful day from the outside world.
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Luminous Homes provides exceptional single-family residences committed to exceed expectations by capitalizing on over 23 years of combined experience in residential real estate and high end custom home design. Each home we design and build are held to a higher standard of quality, ensuring that our clients move into a home that exudes superior craftsmanship, insightful design, and coveted features.
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