Planning Ahead

March 29, 2011 In their hiatus from starting new construction, home builders are surveying future home buyers, Gen X and Gen Y. They want to learn what amenities these generations will look for when they are ready to purchase their first home. There have recently been several articles describing what future new homes might be like. A recent report titled "The New Home in 2015" was created using survey results from 3019 builders, designers, architects, manufacturers and marketing specialists. (It is interesting to note that the survey was of professionals in the home building industries, not actual potential home buyers.) As a result of these surveys, builders are planning for smaller, more compact homes, often eliminating foyers, dining rooms and separate living rooms. They are looking at the open, great room floor plan. Walk-in closets, large master bedrooms, and ceiling fans are still being planned. They are also planning to incorporate "green" features It will be interesting to see how the results of these surveys play out in the next wave of new home construction. If you are in the next generation of home buyers, you might want to also plan ahead. What will you look for when you set out to purchase your first home? As a potential home buyer, now is also the time to start putting aside the funds. Planning ahead is a useful strategy for not only builders, but also buyers.