Ideas, Tips, Advice, Oh My!

​According to research compiled by John Burns Real Estate Consulting, homebuyers indicated that design is given priority over price and rivals location in terms of criteria for purchasing their next homes. 

Even when this data is broken down by region, market, and just about any demographic category, the findings from this research hold true. Today's buyers are placing heavy emphasis on the design of a home and are willing to pay more to get what they want. 

So what's behind this design-focused trend? Much of this can be related to housing affordability being at record levels in most markets, especially in Central Florida in recent years. Therefore, it will take a truly compelling home to motivate someone to move rather than just a home with a great price.

​We've talked about the recent uptick in demand for home remodeling, and as we approach mid 2016, it's clear that this trend is only going to continue. According to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, home improvement spending is expected to reach its highest level in a decade in early 2017.

But what's behind this renewed passion for home remodeling?

Low inventory of homes on the market.
According to the National Association of Realtors, there was 4.5 months of housing inventory on the market as of March, which means that it would every house on the market to sell at the current pace of sales. In other words, the current real estate market benefits sellers rather than buyers as there is a shortage of housing inventory.

​A home with smart and ample storage space is certainly a priority for many people looking to build a custom home. One of the hottest design trends that we've seen recently in Central Florida custom homes in regards to storage space is the rise of the walk-in pantry.

The thing that is so attractive about a walk-in pantry is that they tend to be more unique, efficient, and cost-effective than the option of building extra cabinetry for food storage. In fact, what really has people buzzing about the walk-in pantry these days is the ability to put their own fun and creative design touch on the space. 
For instance, one way that we see homeowners customizing the walk-in pantry is through the entry point. If you talk to your building contractor about your options for an entryway, you could hear anything from a "secret" cabinet entrance to a sliding barn door.

​One of the most appealing aspects of the custom home building process is the ability to select the perfect lot.

We recently wrote a post on our blog that addressed a common question that many of our clients have: should you buy land before hiring a contractor to build? While there's not necessarily a right answer, the article is definitely worth reading as it walks through the pros and cons of both options.