MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK
Many boom-era buyers accepted less than they truly wanted. Homes were pricey, supplies were short and no one was eager to be left behind when it seemed that a home — almost any home, really — was about the best and most lucrative investment you could make.
Now, many of those buyers find themselves stuck in homes they don’t love, homes that may be worth less than they owe. Yet, as a nation we haven’t soured on home ownership. It remains the American Dream, even if that dream has been tempered by reality.
People are still willing to buy, and want to buy. But they’re no longer willing to overspend, and are less willing to compromise or settle for a home that doesn’t measure up to their expectations. Builders realize this, and are more sensitive than ever to changing expectations and skittish attitudes. They are, after all, now required to satisfy a far more discerning market.
Consequently, those who make their living designing, building and decorating homes spend considerable time and resources trying to figure out what buyers want — and how to deliver it at an acceptable price. Clearly, pampering amenities, bold colors, open floorplans, outdoor living areas and energy-efficient construction have supplanted sheer square footage in desirability, as far as buyers are concerned.
But that’s not all. Smaller and smarter is important, but buyers seem to be developing very specific ideas about everything, from such big-picture concepts as neighborhood design to such small but significant details as kitchen and bath fixtures and finishes.
Florida Homebuyer Jacksonville discussed new-home trends for 2013 with a wide network of local industry pros. The story on the following pages summarizes their opinions and those of national experts and trend-spotters.
NEIGHBORHOODS
Buyers want eclectic styles, walkability and amenities. Whether the target market is Generation X, Generation Y or a mix of baby boomers and younger first-timers, the most appealing communities are conveniently located and offer a variety of housing types.
In fact, if one thing about real estate has remained constant through boom and bust, it’s that buyers still rank location, location, location at the top of the list when looking for new homes, followed by architectural style and price range.
Buyers are also attracted to safe, walkable neighborhoods with plenty of open space and nearby town centers that offer retail and professional services — hence the popularity of such master-planned communities as Nocatee, with its on-site town center and intimately-scaled neighborhoods.
As far as amenities are concerned, buyers want perks that enhance their enjoyment of life and allow them to play near where they live. That means resort-style water parks, playgrounds and tot lots, hiking and biking trails, community clubhouses, wellness centers and sports fields are bigger selling points than ever before.
Infill development in established residential neighborhoods or gentrified urban areas is also gaining in popularity. One reason: Close-in projects are likely already near such conveniences as parks, shopping, schools and medical facilities, as well as entertainment venues and employment centers.
Most older neighborhoods feature homes in eclectic architectural styles and a variety of price points. Likewise, new developments are also offering an assortment of housing types, appealing to multiple buyer segments.
In short: Buyers are increasingly turned off by cookie-cutter subdivisions. They expect the view from the street to be interesting and original.
HOME EXTERIORS
Simplicity is back and curb appeal matters. Less cluttered facades are not only cleaner and more visually appealing, they’re also less expensive to build. That’s why today’s designers often operate using the KESS principle: Keep Elevations Simple and Smart.
Enhancements can be accomplished inexpensively using landscaping and bolder exterior colors. Bi- and tri-colored paint palettes, for example, provide variety and enhance curb appeal — and can be changed at a later date without embarking on a major remodeling project.
Mixed-material accents have become more popular lately, although unnecessary cosmetic elements, such as faux dormers and extra gables, are passé. Gingerbread adds cost but doesn’t enhance function.
Mediterranean architecture, long a Florida mainstay, remains popular but is being challenged for supremacy by such styles as West Indies, English Cottage and Prairie-style. Also, more attention is being paid to entryways, particularly doors, which come in a variety of styles and colors and offer outsized visual impact.
Buyers want their homes to be unique, not just a slightly modified version of the home next door. That’s why even production builders, some of whom previously employed a one-plan-fits-all philosophy, are offering more liberal customization options.
FLOORPLANS
It’s back to basics in floorplans, with the trend shifting toward more efficient use of space rather than vast expanses of square footage that have no practical use.
What’s in: smaller, smarter floorplans; larger everyday rooms; and simply designed house shapes. What’s out: unnecessary luxury features; seldom-used formal rooms and excess square footage added simply for the sake of resale value.
Gone are the days of formal living rooms with squared off walls and limited views. Today’s homes should create the illusion of expanded indoor space by using sliding or retractable doors and pass-through areas. And a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living areas can increase usable space without building more square footage.
“Space,” by the way, no longer refers to just interior space. Outdoor living areas are getting almost as much attention as indoor living areas these days. This is Florida, after all, which means the weather is generally conducive to being outdoors year round.
New, more durable fabrics mean outdoor furnishings can be as stylish and comfortable as indoor furnishings. And the sky’s the limit as far as equipping summer kitchens, the most elaborate of which would wow any gourmet chef.
Commercial-quality gas ranges and cooktops, rotisserie systems, extra-deep burner boxes, stainless-steel sinks and cabinetry, wood-burning stoves, wet bars and, of course, refrigerators are manufactured specifically for outdoor use. Even weatherproof high-definition televisions can enhance the outdoor living experience.
And don’t forget the pool, which is the centerpiece of most outdoor living areas. Kidney and lagoon shapes are giving way to simpler, elongated designs that lend themselves to lap swimming for exercise. Social features such as swim-up seating and water platforms for sunbathing also increase a pool’s usefulness.
In addition, buyers are asking for more storage space. Garages, for example, should be big enough to hold bikes, kayaks and sports equipment as well as vehicles. But garage doors shouldn’t dominate a home’s facade.
A standard 18- or 19-foot-wide garage is no longer adequate for many buyers. There simply isn’t enough room, and vehicles end up stowed on the street, thereby making an otherwise lovely residential thoroughfare resemble a parking lot.
Closet and pantry organizational systems also help buyers get maximum use from the space they have. And to cut down on clutter, builders and designers are creating “drop zones” where shoes, backpacks and other items can be stowed on benches and in lockers.
Flexible spaces are also in demand. A home office, for example, can convert into a bedroom; a laundry room can double as pet suite, with feeding and sleeping areas for furry family members. Floorplans that include guest bedrooms with private entryways are increasing in popularity because of the trend toward multigenerational living.
Technology is a must throughout the home. Not only for energy efficiency but also for security systems and the ability to monitor and control home mechanical systems from a PC or a Smart Phone.
KITCHENS
Northeast Florida has generally been a traditional market, so Tuscan- and New England-style homes don’t lend themselves to sleek contemporary kitchens. But that’s changing, say local experts.
Owners of more traditionally themed homes, in which a gleaming ultra-modern kitchen would look out of place, are often opting for transitional styles that incorporate contemporary touches with enough traditional elements to keep the overall look more consistent.
Cherry cabinets used to be the gold standard, but other woods, such as walnut, birch, bamboo and alder, are being used more frequently. And new, more durable and more attractive laminates are coming on strong and finding their way into the most upscale homes.
Light natural finishes on cabinets are also falling out of favor. Among painted cabinets, white continues to be the most popular option, with distressed finishes often preferred in traditional kitchens.
A nice backsplash can tie any kitchen together. Interestingly, however, the most popular material right now is not tile, as you might expect, but glass. Glass provides a sheen that meshes with another trend: surfaces — and even appliances — that carry a polished high gloss.
Other commonly used backsplash materials include natural stone tile, ceramic, granite and quartz. Granite and quartz are popular because those same materials are also frequently used for countertops. Carrara marble, with its distinctive white or blue-gray surface, is coming back because modern sealers have made it less prone to staining.
Gray, white and off-white continue to be the most popular color schemes in the kitchen. Other hot colors include beige and bone. Brighter, more splashy colors, such as green and orange, are being used to accent the grays and beiges.
After years of losing the popularity contest to brushed metal finishes, polished chrome and bronze finishes are on their way back, at least in contemporary kitchens where a high sheen is preferred.
As for lighting, LEDs are more expensive than traditional bulbs at the outset, but they’re also more efficient and can save money on energy bills in the long run. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) don’t fare as well, despite using roughly one-quarter of the energy of an incandescent bulb, due mostly to the poor quality of light they emit and the presence of mercury inside the bulbs.
BATHROOMS
In master bathrooms, oversized soaker tubs are out. Today’s homes feature large, luxurious showers with multiple showerheads, rain heads and spa jets.
The tried-and-true medicine cabinet had been swept aside over the past several years, replaced by decorative wall mirrors. However, as homeowners seek more efficient use of space, designers are now using this old reliable bathroom staple as a means of gaining additional storage without the need for separate shelving or cabinetry.
Pool bathrooms are being built with floors that double as drains, which makes the space ideal for changing out of wet bathing suits. And kids’ bathrooms are being fitted with “helper steps” at the sink, which allow easier access and fewer messes.
GREEN BUILDING
Like “all-natural” in the food industry, the terms “green” and “eco-friendly” have been used quite a bit in marketing materials. Consequently, certifying organizations have been formed to set standards and help consumers separate reality from hype.
The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) has developed green certification programs that apply to homes as well as commercial buildings, land development and even local governments.
In addition, NAHB offers a Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation, which recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry pros who incorporate green building principles into homes. You can find a directory of CGP designees online at nahb.org.
“Net-zero” homes, while not as common, take green building a step further and actually generate more energy than they consume.
But not every buyer is willing to go entirely green. Clients still want energy-efficient appliances, windows, and heating and air systems. Those green features are affordable, but some other green features are still considered upgrades in most budgets, although they may become standard in a few years as technology improves and prices come down.
All in all, efficiency and technology — combined with depressed but slowly rebounding prices — are making homes a better value than ever. Best of all, no matter what the price range, you no longer have to settle for a home that isn’t absolutely right for you.