7 Must-Have Features in Today's New Construction Homes

Are you planning on buying or building a new construction home and need help deciding on the details? Here is everything you need to know about the must-have features in today's new construction homes. 

Today's home buyers have very different priorities than in past years. Many are willing to sacrifice property size if the home has specific key amenities. According to research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), new construction homes have dropped to their lowest size in 13 years at 2,479 square feet. 

One key feature buyers want is for their house to feel like home. This may be slightly harder when building new construction homes. However, personalized features are what transform a house into a home. The NAHB states that home buyers place higher value on personalization and authenticity. 

Potential homeowners often opt to renovate an older home or build one from scratch rather than buy new construction. If you are building a new home, finding a reliable and experienced home builder should be a top priority. 

Once you find the right builder, you can determine what floor plan is best and what features will fit your personality and budget together. Here are the must-have features in today's new construction homes. 

Keep reading to learn all about the best features in today's new construction homes. 

1. Patio

Most homeowners will sacrifice a lot in order to have either a large patio or outdoor living space. No matter if you want this in the front of your house, the backyard, or both, it'll add a great deal of value to your home and life. 

Outdoor living spaces create the perfect space to host and entertain friends and family. Additionally, they give you a new place to retreat and lie down for some much-needed time.

Depending on your budget, these multi-purpose outdoor spaces can vary greatly in price. It will depend on the materials, size, and builder. However, according to Forbes, you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $20,000 for a patio. The latter would include firepits, BBQ grills, and even water features. 

Many homeowners opt for a screened-in patio if they want a more closed-in space. This can cost you anywhere between $3,200 and $5,800. A screened-in patio costs an average of $2 per square foot for labor and installation and $3-$5 per square foot for materials. Check your budget before committing to a screen in the patio because it can be a complex project, which means a higher price of materials. 

2. Garage Storage

Garage storage is essential for all homebuyers and prospective homeowners. It can also increase the home value and make it more appealing to potential buyers when it comes time to sell. 

There are several other reasons why homeowners believe extra garage storage is important:

• Decluttering: We all know how fast our miscellaneous things can pile up inside. Extra storage in the garage will help tremendously when you want to free up your living space. Additionally, it is the perfect place to store outdoor equipment, sporting equipment, holiday decorations, or anything else you don't want inside your home. 
• Safety: Garages are the best place to keep harmful chemicals like paints, fertilizers, or cleaning products. These items can be harmful to people and your home. Keeping these items separate from everyday cleaners is also great for new parents to keep dangerous items out of the kids' reach. 
• Protection: Not only is garage storage good for protecting your family, but you need to protect the items from water, moisture, and pests. If you live in a humid or flood-prone area, overhead garage storage will be the best place to store many items.

3. Hardwood Flooring

Homeowners and buyers are settling on hardwood flooring rather than carpet for the majority of their homes. Not only will hardwood flooring have the greatest positive impact on home resale value, but it is also the easiest to clean and upkeep. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates the return on investment (ROI) for a house with hardwood flooring at 118%. 

According to USA Today, hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished when they show signs of wear. This will save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you have pets or children who may make spills or rip up the carpet. 

Hardwood flooring will provide a durable and long-lasting surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Additionally, these floors are timeless choices that add a touch of elegance and warmth to any room. When it comes to decorating, hardwood floors are easy to enhance with a simple or fun rug.

4. Walk-in Pantry

Along with extra garage storage, storage inside the home is just as necessary. Many new homeowners are looking for walk-in pantries. Kitchen space is a top priority to most homeowners due to its ability to reduce clutter.

Walk-in pantries are a great option for those who want to keep their food or storage out of sight. Pantries provide a significant amount of storage space for spices, food supplies, pots and pans, crackpots, cookbooks, toaster ovens, and anything else you could have in the kitchen. 

Along with every other must-have, a walk-in pantry will raise the value of your home. A walk-in pantry is designed to be larger than a traditional reach-in pantry or closet. This gives you more accessibility to all of your food or items. Additionally, it makes it much easier to keep a clean and decluttered home. As one of the most used rooms in the house, keeping the kitchen clean is already tricky, and this addition makes it much more manageable. 

5. Natural Light

Natural light in any building has many benefits, from health to aesthetic purposes. First, natural light can improve circadian rhythm, the balance of energy and sleep hormones. Natural light can make it easier for you to fall asleep at night and improve your overall well-being. 

In addition, natural light can make your home more appealing to potential buyers and increase its value. If you end up selling your home during an open house, many buyers will be drawn to a home with good natural light. Natural light will also decrease your energy bill because you won't need to keep on the overhead lights throughout the day. 

6. Kitchen Island

A kitchen island, coupled with a walk-in pantry, will optimize your kitchen layout. It will give you more space to cook your favorite meals and entertain guests, eat, and do anything else you enjoy. 

A kitchen island is the perfect multifunctional addition to your kitchen. Many homeowners add bar stools or chairs for seating. If you do plan on including seating, ensure that there is enough overhand for legroom. 

A kitchen island also doubles as a gathering place for parties or a place for the kids to work on homework while you cook. Overall, more counter space rarely has a downside. Plus, homebuyers are always drawn to a home with a nice kitchen island over one that does not. 

7. Mud Rooms

More and more homebuyers are looking for homes with mudrooms. Whether you have pets or children or live on your own, a mudroom creates the perfect space between outside and your home.

This space is typically used to keep your home clean and organized. The space can serve as a buffer between the outdoors and the interior. It is up to you how you want to use the additional space. Most homeowners will use the space to store coats, shoes, and other gear.

Consider adding built-in cubbies, benches, or hooks to store all of your belongings. Some homeowners also include a pet bathing area, which is the best space for washing and grooming a pet. While building the home, if you do opt for a pet bathing area, ensure to include a water source, a non-slip surface, and space for grooming supplies in your building plans. 

Similar to our other must-have features, a mudroom will help keep your home clean and add convenience to your everyday life. Like the garage storage, everything you want to keep out of sight but in an easy-to-access space can go in the mudroom. 

Depending on where you have the mudroom in your house, this space can double as a laundry room. Many homeowners value keeping laundry and storage out of the way; this offers the perfect space for both. Most of the time, a mudroom connects to the garage for your convenience. 

Methodology

We used information and data from several different sources, as well as our own data, to determine everything you need to know about the must-have features in today's new construction homes. Most of the data was sourced from the following sources:

• The National Association of Home Builders
• Forbes
• USA Today
• The National Association of Realtors

FAQ: Must-Have Features in Today's New Construction Homes

Here are some commonly asked questions about the popular features in today's new construction homes. 

What not to forget when building a new house?

Light switches and power outlets are some of the most commonly used but most commonly forgotten features in new homes. As you build your home, consider where everything will be and how many outlets you will use in each room. The kitchen, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and exterior will likely need the most outlets.

What is the best-selling feature of a house?

The homes that sell the fastest typically have updated rooms, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, a large primary bedroom suite, stunning outdoor space, and a good central location.  

How do you style a new construction house?

New construction homes are usually beautiful and clean, but the hard part is making it feel like a home. The decoration is entirely up to the homeowner. However, there are many easy ways to customize your new home. Consider changing the light fixtures, framing the bathroom mirrors, adding wallpaper, upgrading the door hardware, and adding window treatments. 

What not to skimp on when building a house?

When building a house, you should prioritize windows, the HVAC system, appliances, roof, and insulation. These don't have to be the most expensive items on the market but do ensure they are of high quality. 

What style are most new construction homes?

While home styles vary from place to place, the most common new construction styles include Georgian, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Tudor, and Cape Cod homes. 

Features in Today's New Construction Homes - The Bottom Line

No matter how you decide to elevate your home, each of these features will elevate not only your living experience but also your home's overall value. Building a new construction home gives you the opportunity to showcase your personal style, whether you do this through decorations or building features. 

On top of the features we have listed, there are many other features that can increase your comfort, functionality, and home value. The cost of each feature will vary greatly depending on the materials and builder. Ensure you chat with your builder to decide what can fit into your budget and what may not be attainable. 

As you begin construction on your home, we recommend meetings with a trusted real estate specialist. If you are considering moving to a new city, you should check out the Raleigh area in North Carolina. Feel free to contact one of our helpful real estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect location. We know that building a home can be overwhelming, but a real estate agent can walk you through the entire process.