On Friday, May 25^th, The Parade of Homes officially kicks off.  Sponsored by the Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids, those home buyers wanting some great ideas of house plans should spend the money on this great event.  If you read, my first blog about the Parade of Homes I wrote, "According to Judy Barnes of the Home and Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids, "Homes are priced to sell today.  It's probably as cheap as you'll see those prices... More people can afford homes in this Parade." (GR Press)

Custom House Plan are More Affordable Than Ever

Custom house plans are coming by cheaper than ever before.  Builders are feeling the pressure of selling their homes and therefore they are making their homes more attractive to you at a lesser price.  Here is a list of some of the unique items you'll find in these custom houses: Custom wood accents, bronze fixtures, ledgestone exteriors instead of brick, custom shelving in the laundry room, book racks, oversized message boards, taller ceilings, granite countertops, heated tile flooring, whirlpool tubs, upgraded plumbing fixtures, walk-in showers, ceramic tile, Australian Cypress hardwood floors, walk-in pantries, decorative iron accents and the list goes on.... (GR Press). 

According to Michael Bosgraaf of Bosgraaf Homes, "The sales decline over the last year has left a glut of unsold homes on the market... prompting West Michigan and across the country to slash prices and offer steep incentives to attract buyers." (GR Press)

Real Estate Hot Trends???

I love reading everyone's opinion on the housing market and what's going to work and what's not. The other day, I was reading an article in the Michigan Realtor magazine.  Here are a few things that they say are "IN" for the homebuyers of 2007.

*Upscale Garages with cabinet/storage systems, mini-refrigerators etc...

*Man caves/mom caves - personal work spaces where one can go and not be found.

*Not 1, But 2 Home offices

*Rejuvenation Rooms-exercise, meditation, sauna, shower rooms all in one.

*Heated patios, walkways, and driveways

*Snoring Rooms-separate room next to master for the "noisy" sleeper

*Sustainable design - based on three areas: energy conservation, indoor air quality, and resource conservation.

*Structured wiring - must-haves for technology based home buyers

*Mixing finished on kitchen base and wall cabinets - stained wood bases and painted wood upper cabinets.

Green-Built Homes are Part of the BUZZ!

So... as far as new construction is concerned, which set of "must haves" will sell the home?  Most builders will probably agree with at least two of the items on the Michigan Realtor Magazine list: sustainable design and structured wiring.  The "Green-Built" homes are tending to get more buzz.  Green relies very heavily on the sustainable design element of a home. 

Michigan Real Estate and the Future

My question is, "Do the builders know of these other supposed hot items that need to be added to the home to sell it?" My opinion... I love what the home buyers are able to get now and feel that builders have chosen well.  Maybe these other items will become more popular in the future.  We'll have to see if these things from the Michigan Realtor Magazine really become the latest and greatest house plans and what the real estate market will do with it in the future. 

References:

"What's In, What's Out Homebuyers of 2007" by Mark Nash.  Michigan Realtors Magazine. May 2007.

Grand Rapids Press. Sunday, May 20, 2007. "Parade of Homes Entices Buyers With Extras." http://www.mlive.com/grandrapids/stories/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1179643254176690.xml&coll=6