Almost all of the many new construction homes we show look great. Most have fabulous kitchens with expansive granite islands, stainless appliances, hardwood floors throughout and an open floor plan. There's often a rustic look or an urban vibe that is very attractive to buyers. The landscaping is newly planted and not overgrown. These model homes look fabulous. They're supposed to.
When we show existing homes in the $350,000 to $450,000 price range, which is the sweet spot in our market, we see some really special homes. Our buyers marvel at the seven inch baseboards, the extensive crown moulding, the "not builder grade" light fixtures and imaginative wall colors. People have lived in these homes and have made improvements to enhance the quality of their life in these existing homes.
There's often one thing that separates those existing homes from the model homes, one thing that is lacking in the model homes, a WOW that almost all of our buyers get excited about--namely OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE. That is the "O" in the WOW! This should be included as an option in a brand new home!
I'm not talking about a deck outside the backdoor with a nice umbrella! If you are going for the WOW factor, you're stepping into a fantasy land of shaded space, expansive comfortable seating, an outdoor kitchen, and of course an outdoor flat screen TV. You probably also see a firepit and/or a stone fireplace to enjoy the outside space on a crisp autumn night. It might have multiple levels for interest, but the majority of the space is at ground level on stone pavers. It looks, and is, substantial.
Beazer Homes and ActiveRain challenged us to consider what features we might include in a brand new "dream home". I'd love to see Outdoor Living Space available as an option to put the WOW into a new dream home!
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