Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Consumers Want Homes to Fit Their Lifestyles
New home plans now include more of what homeowners want.
The booming real-estate market of recent years has challenged builders to meet the demand of consumers in the way of new house construction. What's more, builders have also been given the task of producing not only more homes, but ones that are affordable and meet the evolving preferences of today's home buyer. As a result, homes are being built that cater to the lifestyles of the modern homeowner.
Drive around a new home development and you're likely to discover one obvious fact instantly: new homes are much larger than their older counterparts. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, square footage of homes built in 2004 was nearly 140 percent greater than homes built in 1950. However, you may also notice that although houses are bigger, yards may be smaller or non-existent. Why? Homeowners want large homes to house their toys, but may have less interest in maintaining outdoor living spaces. Here is a look at some of the interior home trends.
In addition to offering larger square footage, many of today's new homes are designed to include useful living spaces. As telecommuting becomes increasingly popular in today's business environment, dedicated home offices top the list of wants from home buyers, and these rooms are wired for business. A recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association said that approximately 60 percent of new homes include a network of high-speed data, voice and HDTV-capable wiring.
An open floor plan is also a common theme among new construction. Buyers are no longer interested in a formal dining room and living room to act as an unused showcase. Rather, some builders have nixed the living room in lieu of a great room, which includes a spacious eat-in-kitchen that opens up to a den or game room. The recreation area is decidedly designed around flat-screen televisions and elaborate home- theater systems. Gone are the days when homeowners would house electronics within an entertainment center or behind closed doors. Today's gadget lovers want their top-of-the line products on display and in use.
With living spaces adjacent to the kitchen/eating area, family members can congregate in the same area while enjoying their respective activities. These spaces are also great for homeowners who enjoy entertaining in their homes.
Elaborate laundry rooms have also been added to new construction master plans. Yet the jury is still out as to the preferred location of such laundry rooms. Some homeowners prefer it on the ground floor, off the kitchen, to act as a mudroom or transition space into the body of the home. Others want it upstairs or by the bedrooms where the majority of dirty laundry is generated.
Another room which has popped up as of late is a private space for some family members, like in-laws or caregivers. That is why bedrooms off the kitchen or garage have become common. And in regard to the garage: it's bigger than in past years. Many new garages are built two feet deeper so that minivans and SUVs will fit comfortably.
With homes much larger, energy costs are likely a concern for homeowners. That's why many builders are also including "smart home" features, equipping their houses with technology that controls home systems from one location. Heating, security, cooling, audio and other systems can be programmed, helping owners use fewer resources. These systems are also accessed via the Web, so homeowners can turn the heat down a notch anywhere they have access to the Internet.
As homeowners' preferences continue to evolve through the years, builders will surely have an ear open to their wants and needs to build homes that will offer the most bang for their buck.
The booming real-estate market of recent years has challenged builders to meet the demand of consumers in the way of new house construction. What's more, builders have also been given the task of producing not only more homes, but ones that are affordable and meet the evolving preferences of today's home buyer. As a result, homes are being built that cater to the lifestyles of the modern homeowner.
Drive around a new home development and you're likely to discover one obvious fact instantly: new homes are much larger than their older counterparts. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, square footage of homes built in 2004 was nearly 140 percent greater than homes built in 1950. However, you may also notice that although houses are bigger, yards may be smaller or non-existent. Why? Homeowners want large homes to house their toys, but may have less interest in maintaining outdoor living spaces. Here is a look at some of the interior home trends.
In addition to offering larger square footage, many of today's new homes are designed to include useful living spaces. As telecommuting becomes increasingly popular in today's business environment, dedicated home offices top the list of wants from home buyers, and these rooms are wired for business. A recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association said that approximately 60 percent of new homes include a network of high-speed data, voice and HDTV-capable wiring.
An open floor plan is also a common theme among new construction. Buyers are no longer interested in a formal dining room and living room to act as an unused showcase. Rather, some builders have nixed the living room in lieu of a great room, which includes a spacious eat-in-kitchen that opens up to a den or game room. The recreation area is decidedly designed around flat-screen televisions and elaborate home- theater systems. Gone are the days when homeowners would house electronics within an entertainment center or behind closed doors. Today's gadget lovers want their top-of-the line products on display and in use.
With living spaces adjacent to the kitchen/eating area, family members can congregate in the same area while enjoying their respective activities. These spaces are also great for homeowners who enjoy entertaining in their homes.
Elaborate laundry rooms have also been added to new construction master plans. Yet the jury is still out as to the preferred location of such laundry rooms. Some homeowners prefer it on the ground floor, off the kitchen, to act as a mudroom or transition space into the body of the home. Others want it upstairs or by the bedrooms where the majority of dirty laundry is generated.
Another room which has popped up as of late is a private space for some family members, like in-laws or caregivers. That is why bedrooms off the kitchen or garage have become common. And in regard to the garage: it's bigger than in past years. Many new garages are built two feet deeper so that minivans and SUVs will fit comfortably.
With homes much larger, energy costs are likely a concern for homeowners. That's why many builders are also including "smart home" features, equipping their houses with technology that controls home systems from one location. Heating, security, cooling, audio and other systems can be programmed, helping owners use fewer resources. These systems are also accessed via the Web, so homeowners can turn the heat down a notch anywhere they have access to the Internet.
As homeowners' preferences continue to evolve through the years, builders will surely have an ear open to their wants and needs to build homes that will offer the most bang for their buck.
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