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Discover 10 Top Trends in New Homes Today

By
Real Estate Agent with East West Realty 0226005035

If you haven’t been shopping for a new home lately, like in maybe over 5 years or so, you might be surprised in some of the hot, new trends that homebuyers are finding in a brand new home today. As the old saying goes, if the homebuilder is building the same old floor plan for at least five years, then it’s time for a change.

At several of our East West Communities like Founders Pointe, you can tour a dozen new homes under construction, six are already under contract, and six are being built for sale. You’ll see some of the recent changes in new home design that reflect the changing needs and wants in today’s homebuilding industry.

1. Kitchens with larger center islands, more emphasis on more granite counter space, more energy efficient appliances. More floor plans are featuring a floating island connecting to a larger grand room- the old family room is looking like more of a “great room”. The islands are often a different color and wood and resemble an old piece of furniture, also positioned closer to the Grand Room where families can connect easier. Bench seating is often found along the breakfast room window area to create a warm, inviting place to eat. Builders are also including unique pendant lighting and smaller chandeliers. Shelves and extra storage is also finding the ends of cabinets and the backside of the island.

 

Sasser Construction's Coastal Cottage Model (Above). Stephen Alexander Homes (Below)

 

2. Drop zones- Drop zone areas are usually found between the Kitchen, utility Room, and the garage door- making it easy to catch the clutter the moment it enters the home. It also becomes a convenient area to charge your cell phone, usually features mudroom seating, cubbies, and nooks – all helping make a house feel more like a home. Homebuyers today are responding well to this new "old" feature.

3. Pocket Offices. Builders are finding practical spaces throughout the home to outfit for a home office. Pocket offices don’t have to be big spaces, and they usually feature built-in desks and shelving. It can be an alcove or convenient niche near the kitchen or located in a transition space off the upstairs hallway. Often, the smallest bedroom upstairs is customized and setup as a home office. Flex spaces are very popular and often found on the second level and are being used for multiple uses.

4. Enhanced Outdoor Living Spaces. “Outdoor Rooms” are the new FAMILY RETREAT. There’s an increased interest in entertaining friends and family at home. Outdoor living spaces with fireplaces and outdoor cooking are usually located off a back porch or patio. Builders are incorporating outdoor spaces with the overall home design by placing a fire pit or fireplace connecting to the pation or porch area- accented with bench seating and planter boxes. The yard and garden become a part of the floor plan when sliding glass doors lead to patios and decks. “Outdoor rooms" may even include kitchens with sophisticated sinks and grills.

 

A Twilight Porch and a covered back porch by Sasser Construction (above) Southern style back porch by Stephen Alexander Homes (Below)

5. More Casual Living- There’s been a trendrecently for less formal living. Homebuyers, for years, have been transforming old floor plans into how they want to live. For example, take the typical two-story Traditional house plan- Families have been retrofitting the dedicated living room into an office or study. Builders have finally caught on- that space has now been taken away from the front of the home and added to the back of the home where you actually live.

6. Home for Entertainment- The media rooms don’t have to be a huge room anymore. Home designers have paid attention to how people live. Just take a well appointed gathering place with comfortable furniture, a place for technology, and home entertainment centers- a place for the whole family to enjoy. The room can be an open room upstairs, a bonus room over the garage, or an extra bedroom. Builders will sometimes stage these rooms for a Children’s Retreat or a Family Entertainment Center.

7. Multi-generational Rooms. The country’s leading new home designer, Frank Betz Associates, Inc, has it figured out. More and more families are living in the same home and builders have requested more floor plans for their customers that caters to this growing demographic. In today’s economy, many young adults have returned to their family’s home and they’re interested in having their own space. With more families taking care of an older family member, they’re also looking for better living arrangements on the main floor. Builders are starting to feature new homes with a separate “multi-generational suite”. This redraw of an older plan shows how you can enhance a guest bedroom on the first floor.

8. Energy Efficiency. New homes built today are built at a higher standard than homes built even five years ago. Some of the options homebuyers are interested in are geothermal heating systems, LED bulbs, tank-less water heaters, Techshield roofing material, foam insulation, and solar energy. We’re seeing homes built with a much tighter construction. Sasser Construction recently reported at a Hampton Roads REALTORS Association seminar that their new homes built today are around 30% more efficient than one built just 5 years ago. Today’s technology allows the builders to test their homes better- i.e. moisture meters, thermal imaging, & duct blasters. Other energy efficient measures are:

  • Programmable digital thermostats, LED and halogen bulbs
  • Caulked and sealed openings, Thermo-shield sealed and insulated voids.
  • Mastic duct, duct blaster or visual inspection, properly sized and designed duct system
  • HVAC systems- Higher minimum SEER and AFUE ratings
  • Low water usage devices – toilets, faucets, irrigation
  • Homes are also constructed at higher standards for better support and structure – all homes built today must be designed to resist racking, heavy wind uplift and attachment failures

9. Curb Appeal Matters! Homebuyers today are also tired of the same old “cutter cutter” neighborhood look. If they’re going to make a move into a new home, they want a neighborhood with more character and everlasting quality- that includes the exteriors of homes and the overall streetscape. Craftsman and Coastal Cottage style homes are often featured in new home communities like Founders Pointe and The Riverfront. Distinctive architectural guidelines help shape new home communities and helps with the overall sense of community. Homebuyers are pickier than they were ten years ago and they’re interested in exteriors that offer character and a more classic, timeless feeling. Detailed front gables, deep front porches and porticos help give a feeling of warmth and is reminiscent of older homes from the past – giving a feeling of comfort and quality.

10. Where You Live is as Important as How You Live. Today's consumers consider the importance of lifestyle and community over their perfect home, says a 2013 survey from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. The survey shows that most new home buyers are willing to sacrifice square footage to live in a better neighborhood with easy access to amenities such as schools and entertainment. This helps explains the sales success in a planned community like Founders Pointe and The Riverfront at Harbour View where many homebuyers have felt comfortable buying a quality, custom home in recent years. Pocket parks, walking trails, resort-style swimming pools and clubhouses are all a part of the whole attraction in this communities. Homebuyers today are paying as much attention to where the home is located as to what's included their new home. 

Celebrating our 40th year creating Virginia's Best Places to Live and Play. Discover the best in lifestyle communities at Founders Pointe, Eagle Harbor, Liberty Ridge, and The Riverfront at Harbour View. East West Realty Sales Centers are open 7 days a week on-site.

 

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Posted by
Mark Edwards (757) 288-7584

Comments (3)

Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
All good points: love the multi generational floor plans, makes so much sense!
Sep 28, 2013 05:31 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Mark,

 This is always vital information for people to know about! Good topic! Have a great Saturday!

Sep 28, 2013 05:31 AM
Mark Edwards
East West Realty - Suffolk, VA
East West Realty

Thanks Carol, Appreciate the kind words.

Yolanda, thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Mark

Sep 28, 2013 05:57 AM