Production trends across industries are gearing toward personalization. We can "have it our way" with Whataburger, "express our identities" with Nike shoes, design our own T-shirts with CustomInk, wrap our smart cars (like the amazing Tom and Gina Branch), and even order a 'twin' doll for our children!
Franchise builders are getting wise to modern buyer preferences. Gone are the days where consumers will passively accept a straight cookie cutter product. Today's buyer, even when considering a spec home, will typically ask for some sort of customization. From floor plans to finish out, there is great value in 'made to order'.
Beazer's new Choice Plans attempt to answer that desire for a higher level of customization. At no additional cost under this program, Beazer provisions for 'plug and play' floor plan options, tailoring to a buyer's style and use-of-space preferences. While not necessarily a new concept for the new construction market, the pre-configured choices make it easy for customers to envision alternatives -- which can be a huge help for buyers with spatial orientation challenges. For subsequent resale, having a home that is more unique within a master-planned community can boost value as well.
One of the biggest perks that comes with buying new home construction is the energy efficiency aspect. While builders are trending toward maximizing efficiency, lowering utility costs, and 'going green' with building materials, consumers are also contemplating an increase in self-sustaining, earth-friendly solutions that extend to lifestyle choices as well. Here are some things our buyers have wished for as standard features for every new home:
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Recycled Glass Counter Tops and Backsplashes - Both visually beautiful and a more desirable alternative for those who have concerns about radiation hazards from granite, this upcycled alternative is turning heads in the design world.
- Bamboo Flooring -- For solid surface AND carpeted areas.
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Dish Drawers -- Instead of a standard dishwasher, dish drawers offer increased flexibility, allowing each drawer to operate independently.
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Retractable Door Screens -- To harness cool air and whole-house ventilation, while protecting the home from insects and sun glare.
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Radiant Barrier Roof - Often offered as an upgrade, we do see a trend to install this feature as a standard component by a few builders in the DFW Metroplex.
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Solatube - Solar / LED lighting options in addition to traditional LEED lighting.
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Rain Barrels - Optional water source for watering lawns and gardens.
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Xeriscape Landscaping Packages - Customized to geography - for water conservation, soil improvement, lower maintenance, and increased forgiveness against harsh conditions.
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Decomposed Granite - For walkways, patios, garden beds...
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Zero-barrier Walk In Showers -- Goodbye garden tub, hello oversized, door-less, roll-in shower rooms, equipped with hand sprays and multiple heads / jets
- Whole house generators -- As surprising as it may sound, this wish doesn't necessarily fall in with "prepper" mentality, in the sense of folks who desire an 'off grid' lifestyle. We see a growing trend, particularly with our clients who are purchasing homes for retirement purposes, to consider concerns that would assist those who plan to age in place. To offset loss of power during storms or intermittent interruptions and outages, the idea of an alternate power source to ensure basic needs (cooking, room temperature, medical devices) can keep going is an attractive idea, especially if it is a pre-integrated solution that is easy to operate and aesthetically pleasing.
While many buyers are focusing on adding green features as an aftermarket project, much like the trend we see toward building homes that are multi-generational friendly (to allow homebuyers the option to 'age in place'), we hope to see Builders like Beazer adopt sustainability features, and enhance the marketing mix of value as defined by product, placement, price and promotion -- by adding the newest "P" (positioning) -- to gain influential traction in the marketplace.
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