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The Home Buying Wish List for Home Builders

Written by: Parcel Pending

8 Min Read

Published: June 12, 2019

Updated: April 4, 2023

If you are building or renovating a home with the intent of flipping it for a profit, you are likely all too aware of the underlying risk/reward of such a venture in both time, effort, and money. A haphazard, slapdash job can easily end up with you losing a hefty chunk of change, wondering why you ever thought it was a good idea, whereas a carefully researched and meticulous approach can result in substantial gains.

When it comes to developing a home for sale it is critical that the builder keeps the wants and needs of a potential buyer rather than any personal interests. If you want to make money on your investment, it is essential that you’re aware of market trends and the types of options buyers are looking for when it comes to new real estate. In all likelihood, a potential buyer will see multiple homes, so it is critical that your house has every amenity possible in order to convince them that your home should be their home.

Below, we will discuss what consumers are looking for in their residential communities.

House Amenities Checklist

Location Matters

If you haven’t yet purchased a place, the first thing you need to consider is the location of the property and how well that area sells in the current housing market. If there are locational defining features, design the house in such a way as to highlight the benefits of the locale. So, if you can offer views of the mountain or the ocean, make sure that these are emphasized in the design. Types of locations that home buyers care about include:

  • Close to a school
  • Views of the ocean, mountains, or city
  • On a golf course
  • In a gated community
  • Suburban
  • In the city
  • Greenbelt
  • On the waterfront, be it the ocean, lake, or river
  • Cul-de-sac
  • Street with a dead end

Consider your property’s location and use that to your advantage. Build your home to the type of person who might desire such a location. If you are closer to school, you are likelier to have a younger family move in than, say, if you were on a golf course.

Create An Open Floor Plan

One of the most important home features, especially for younger homeowners, is an open floor plan that utilizes the living room and kitchen. Ditch the formal living room or dining room to give even smaller homes a much larger and open feel. This is particularly important for entertaining and creating a casual atmosphere. If you do have extra rooms, add flexibility to them so that they could be used for whatever purpose the owner desires—be it an office, spare bedroom, or workout room.

Move the Laundry Room

In recent years, clients have wanted to get their laundry room out of the prison-like feel of the basement. A more significant emphasis has been placed on relocating it to the first floor and giving the room plenty of space and storage in order to remove the one-dimensionality of the laundry room. Designers have been emphasizing bright colors and countertops and state-of-the-art washing and drying machines so that laundry feels like less of a dour chore. Consider adding the following tips:

  • You can never have enough user-friendly storage.
  • Add a large sink for pet baths and clothes that require hand washing.
  • Art, posters, or wallpaper can help bring life to a typically dull room.

Install Parcel Lockers

With the rise of Amazon and home delivery, porch pirates have become an even greater threat. If you do not live in a gated community, having goods delivered to your home can be a scary proposition, but it doesn’t have to be. This is part of why homebuilders should invest in parcel lock boxes such as those sold by Parcel Pending. Smart lockers allow mail and other packages to be scanned, delivered, and safely stored, completely eliminating the worry that typically arises when something expensive is being delivered to your home.

These lockers have the following benefits:

  • They have 24/7 cloud-based video surveillance
  • Accept deliveries from any courier service with barcode scanning
  • They are weatherproof
  • Have Amazon Echo and Google Home Integration
  • Come in a variety of sizes and accept most any package

Install Fountains and Fire Pits

Humans have a natural affinity for the elements. Consider building in features that allow the homeowners and their guests to admire these fundamental aspects of nature. Water fountains and fire pits are fantastic amenities that can add to landscape architecture as well as provide a place for people to gather and socialize. If possible, search for ways to naturally combine these two elements.  

Add Home Security

Even if the home you’re building resides in a safe neighborhood, it may be wise to install a home security system.  There are lots of different security options out there so be sure to evaluate what makes the most sense for your property. Whatever security system you decide on is a worthwhile investment, especially if it can help to convince someone to purchase your home. It’s also important to consider ways you can help to develop a safer neighborhood and implement these types of ideas as well.

The Master Closet

If you have the space, consider building a master walk-in closet that has plenty of standing room and storage space. Add high-quality doors and drawers, finishes, lighting, and create a layout that is intuitive and brings joy every time it is used. Consider adding any of the following:

  • Jewelry drawer inserts
  • Glass shelves
  • Shoe shelves
  • Center island
  • Bench or seating area
  • Deep drawers

The closet can and should be a room in its own right, not simply a storage space for your clothes. If you want to win over the prospective lady of the house, a walk-in closet is a must-have amenity.

Harness The Natural Sunlight

Similar to the floor plan, it is crucial that you utilize plenty of windows to let in natural light and take advantage of the views if you have them. Using natural light allows you to cut utility bills since the more natural light that comes into the house, the fewer lights are required during the day. Further, natural light can help heat the home. If you are still building your home, orient it towards the sun. To maximize sunlight, face the longest side of the house so that it is facing south, and thus receiving the most sunlight throughout the day.

Modernize The Garage

There are more than a million electric cars in the country, with nearly a third of those having been purchased in the last year alone. As more and more Americans convert to electric vehicles, the need for docking stations in residential garages will increase proportionately. Adding a car-charging station in your garage won’t cost a lot but could be a deciding factor in a prospective homeowner’s decision. On top of that, consider filling the garage with integrated cabinetry to maximize storage space.   

Create Rich Sound

These days, it is all too easy to wire each room in the house to be able to play music or act as a PA system. You can wire the house for sound without having to spend a fortune. Install a speaker system that integrates to Bluetooth and smart home tech to allow for music to be played universally or in a specific room. These systems can be controlled from the home device or your phone. In the entertainment/family room, make sure that you set up a surround sound system so that the movie and television experience feels immersive.

Add Outlets Everywhere

We live in the digital age. As such, there needs to be places for TVs, phones, tablets, PCs, and any other electronic device to be charged or hooked up. Consider where people will spend most of their time and put USB ports in those outlets. This can include:

  • The cooking area
  • Near any bed
  • Entertainment room
  • The master bathroom

Open Up the Kitchen

A modern kitchen is open so that hosting guests for dinner parties is fun and communal. Consider pivoting the oven and stove so that they’re facing the dining room, thus allowing whoever is cooking to be able to see their guests and have a face to face conversation.

In recent years, the kitchen has become the social center of the house; large islands are a great place to prep food, eat, do work or homework, or simply hang out. Again, you can never have enough storage or shelves, so do not skimp out, especially when it comes to the kitchen and the multitude of items that need to be stored and organized.  

Go Green

Young people especially care about their footprint on the ecosystem. Wherever possible, use green technology to conserve energy in the home. Perhaps add solar panels to the roof to help cut down on utility bills and minimize energy outputs. Maybe add the following:

  • Low-E windows
  • Energy Star-rated appliances
  • Efficient light bulbs
  • Water conserving sinks

Make the Home a Place for Pets

Think of ways to integrate a pet into the home. People treat their four-legged furry companions as if they were their kids. It may be wise to add in spaces with pets in mind. Recently, some homes have been adding mini showers in the mudroom in order to wash off dirty pets and kids. Other tips to make a house pet-friendly include:

  • Select flooring that is durable and easy to wash
  • Add a pet station that contains all their items including food, treats, toys, and cleaning accessories
  • Install a magnetic doggy door that is paired to your pet’s collar, meaning your home stays safe and your pets are free to enter and exit whenever they want.

Building Your Home

The ideas listed above are just some of the things that home buyers may wish for when searching for their next home. Check out these 5 new home features homebuilders should be aware of for more information about what buyers are currently looking for. If you are currently building or renovating a house, small amenities such as smart lockers, an open floor plan, or an electric charging station can make all the difference in the world. Be sure to carefully consider your space and location and build accordingly. With a mindful approach, you can turn your investment into gold!

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