Whether you’re building your first new home or you’re a seasoned expert having built before, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before you build your next home.
If you want to ‘move up,’ the home you build should reflect your current needs and capture the type of lifestyle you see yourself living. This is especially important if your household dynamic has changed since you last purchased or built a new home. For instance, going from no-kids to kids or maybe your children have left home. Any change in your household or how you want to live requires careful thought and consideration to ensure your new home fits your new criteria.
It’s all about the details, so be sure to look at all your options, like the ones listed below, when making decisions about your new home.
Home ‘Flow’
A good home has a good flow. You want to be able to walk in the door and drop off your things in a convenient location. You want to cook dinner and easily bring things to the table. You want a laundry that’s near the bedrooms so you’re not walking up and down the stairs with baskets of clothing.
While each family has different needs regarding the ‘feel’ of their home, this is something that you really need to see in person. Looking at larger floor plans can give you an idea of what the home might look like, but show homes help you see how those plans translate to real life. What looks great on paper might be too cramped for your taste. Take time to really imagine your family living with different types of layouts.
Number of Bedrooms and Flex Rooms
As you look for the perfect home for your family, think about the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You need just the right number of rooms for your family. If you don’t have enough, your home will get cramped and you won’t feel happy. However, too many rooms and you’ll have dead space not being used efficiently.
You probably want a bedroom for each child and a master suite for the adults, but think about what you need beyond that. Will you need a home office, an exercise room, or a play room? You can get these in homes that have extra bedrooms or flex rooms, but you’ll also get extra space by finishing the basement. This is another reason why looking at different layouts is important – it will help you choose the optimal floor plan with the right number of rooms.
All About the Bathrooms
Most families want at least two bathrooms to manage the bottlenecks that occur when one person is taking too long in the bathroom. You may even want more than two. However, you also should learn more about the style and layout of the bathroom. For instance, you don’t want your knees touching the bathtub when you sit on the toilet, and you will probably be happier if there are linen closets in the bathrooms for towels and other necessities. Not everyone needs a luxurious bathroom, though, so you might consider choosing a regular bathtub rather than a large soaker tub, then spend that money on something you really want.
Storage Options
As you look at homes, consider storage options and whether or not they’ll work for your family. The closets need to be big enough for all of your clothing, but you may not need walk-in closets. You’ll also probably want storage space for things like holiday decorations and out-of-season clothes. Don’t forget to think about where you’ll store bikes and other outside toys. Those things can take up a lot of space and you’ll want a garage that’s big enough to hold them along with your vehicles.
New and Innovative Options
If you’re going to move up and build a new home, you should find out what the options available are. For instance, builders can incorporate energy-efficient features right into the build. You may also want a home that integrates the latest technology, allowing you to control temperature and keep an eye on thing from your phone.
Community Information
Of course, a home isn’t perfect unless the neighbourhood suits your lifestyle. Take some time to really research the community you’re thinking of living in. Look at the nearby educational options. Find out whether families on the street tend to keep to themselves or all hang out together on the weekends. Understanding these types of things can help you decide whether the community is the right one for your family. A good builder will also have this information, but it’s also beneficial to do some digging for yourself.
When you build a new home, you’re better able to get all of the things your family wants in a home. Some of those are things you already know, but there may be plenty of options you’ve never truly considered. The best way to get ideas is to look around various show homes for things that inspire you.
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