WHAT'S HOT
By Mick Lochridge
It’s 2017. New homes that most of us can afford — with features once reserved for only the ultra-luxury market — are going up all across Central Florida. Many are in amenity-rich communities that are nothing like your father’s old boring cinderblock subdivisions from the ’60s.
For first-time buyers or even move-up buyers who are venturing across town, home shopping can be an eye-opening yet rewarding experience.
As identified by designers, architects and builders, this year’s trends in new homes and communities focus on floorplans, garages, active lifestyles, multigenerational living — and, of course, keeping the kitchen as the hub of the home.
Other trending features include smart-home technology, townhomes and outdoor living areas.
In addition, builders and developers carry their innovations beyond the front door and into the communities themselves. In 2017, buyers can expect to find more town centers with recreational, shopping and dining options.
But it all starts with the home, of course.
“People still want open and spacious plans, lots of natural light, energy efficiency and at least a degree of smart-home technology,” says David Pillsbury, principal designer with Keesee Associates (gokeesee.com), a design and architectural firm with offices in Maitland and Apopka.
“The great part is that you can get yourself into a contemporary styled home without having to buy an expensive piece of property on the Florida coastline,” Pillsbury adds. “Developers have embraced the idea, and are now offering these new-style homes in communities all over Florida.”
Would-be buyers in Central Florida can expect to note a number of exciting new trends while they’re touring new-home communities.
KITCHENS
Almost everybody agrees on this one: Kitchen is king. With spacious countertops, accessible appliances and smooth traffic flow, what has always been the heart of the home is still the heart of the home.
“Kitchens remain a focus of household activities, and have evolved into the family center of most homes,” the Journal of the American Institute of Architects recently reported in its annual Home Design Trends Survey, which looked a decade ahead.
“Because family space connected to kitchen space has become standard in most new homes, the centrality of the kitchen to household operations is destined to continue to increase,” the article continues.
Local builders agree.
Kolter Homes (kolterhomes.com), with projects either underway or set to break ground this year in Seminole and Volusia counties, spotlights the kitchen in its plans.
“Instead of hiding and disconnecting the kitchen, more and more floorplans celebrate it, and make it the centerpiece of the home in an open, forward-living design,” notes John Manrique, vice president of marketing for Kolter.
Likewise, kitchens in homes built by Minto Communities (minto.com) feature designer features with large service and seating islands, plus an open view and flow to the great room and outdoor living spaces, says William Bullock, the company’s senior vice president.
Minto has active projects in Volusia, Polk and Orange counties. Bullock adds that outdoor kitchen and dining areas also are popular.
GARAGES
The garage has turned into an interesting animal. Once it was nothing more than a concrete slab for a floor, stacks of storage and a jumble of yard tools. A two-car garage may have had enough room left for a single vehicle — if it was a compact.
Today, not so much. The garage has evolved into a space every bit as important as one of the rooms inside. Don’t be surprised by the number of new homes with three-car garages, or those with upgraded flooring.
“We’re seeing the desire for premium features that extend beyond the traditional interior of the home and into the garage,” says Matt Orosz, Central Florida division co-president for AV Homes (avhomesinc.com), which has projects underway across Central Florida.
“Many buyers now seek a formal garage workstation, or ‘man-cave,’ with finished floors, refrigerators and other amenities to create an additional leisure space,” he adds.
The three-car garage choice also comes into play at homes designed to accommodate multigenerational living, according to both Minto Communities and Toll Brothers (tollbrothers.com).
In Minto’s homes, the larger space is also popular as a hobby workspace and extra storage for golf carts, boats and other grownup toys.
“We’re also seeing more requests for three-car garages in all of our communities,” adds Brock Fanning, vice president for Central Florida division of Toll Brothers, which has several ongoing developments in Orange County.
“They’re ideal for multigenerational living, homeowners with teenage drivers, and those who need extra space for recreational equipment or storage,” he notes.
FLOORPLANS
While more of a given than a trend, open floorplans continue as a must for buyers. Recognizing that fact, designers and builders are putting their own twists on the concept.
“From a home design standpoint, customization has now become the name of the game,” says Orosz of AV Homes. “An open floorplan is no longer a differentiator, but rather a standard expected by homebuyers in a new home.”
Design trends of the future include movable/adjustable walls so homeowners can easily adapt both the ambiance and function of their living spaces, Orosz adds.
At Minto, floorplan options include:
• Open great rooms with high ceilings and disappearing sliding-glass doors to maximize views and create seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living spaces.
• Designer kitchens with expansive service and seating islands.
• Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and luxuriously appointed pools and spas with waterfalls and other water features.
“While our buyers still want luxury statements in the design and architectural details of their homes, many prefer a more casual, open layout that enhances interaction with family and guests,” notes Bullock of Minto Communities.
Minto includes formal dining rooms in some of its floorplans, while also offering open floorplans that connect to outdoor living areas. In addition, Bullock says, “we incorporate private retreats into our homes, which our buyers find very appealing.”
Manrique adds: “Open concepts with flex spaces and personalization opportunities continue to be in high demand for both single-family and townhome buyers.”
TOWNHOMES
One trend that is on its way up comes from Pulte Homes (pultegroup.com). The builder is set to launch its new three- and four-story townhomes in three locations — Oviedo Park Terrace, Laureate Park at Lake Nona and next to Ruby Lake in the Dr. Phillips area.
“These new-home designs offer multiple configurations, including dual owner’s suites, flex spaces, two to four bedrooms and optional four-story loft spaces with a rooftop terrace,” says Peter Keane, Pulte’s Florida area president.
“We feel this will appeal to a variety of homebuyers, including young professionals, families who want to be located in a more urban setting, and empty nesters looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle,” adds Keane.
SMART HOMES
A high-tech home can mean different things to different people. For some, it can be energy-saving features, such as solar panels and motion light sensors.
For others it can be video doorbells (so you can see who’s at the door) and USB ports controlled by smart phones. Home security and HVAC systems can also be controlled remotely via cell phones.
As more buyers discover what’s possible with home-integration technology, demand increases and builders respond accordingly.
“We’re starting to see smart homes trending, and we now include smart-home packages in new homes in Oakland Park,” says Shad Tome, area president for David Weekley Homes (davidweekleyhomes.com).
MULTIGENERATIONS
With the mash-up of the millennials, generation X’ers and baby boomers, it’s no surprise that multigenerational homes and communities are gaining a lot of attention. Universal design, which facilitates aging in place, is also hotter than ever as boomers begin reaching their 60s and beyond.
“Many homeowners desire a separate, private space for their parents or millennial children, who may be living with them full- or part-time,” says Fanning of Toll Brothers. “We’ve created several home designs to provide options for these homebuyers.”
For example, he says, the Maranello design at Lakeshore (in Horizon West) includes a private entrance with a living area, kitchenette and bedroom/bathroom.
Minto’s homes include guest quarters that are designed to provide privacy for short- and long-term guests. The builder also offers a second-floor retreat above the garage in Laureate Park.
In Volusia County, Kolter Homes has created a community that caters to all ages with Victoria Park, which encompasses two unique neighborhoods — Victoria Hills and Cresswind at Victoria Gardens, which is a 55-plus development.
There are common areas where active adults and families can come together to enjoy recreational activities, yet both have their own space to pursue the activities they enjoy, says Kolter’s marketing vice president, John Manrique.
“It’s a master-planned community structure that provides a great mix and flexibility for homebuyers, and builds a broader community overall,” Manrique adds.
COMMUNITIES
For many buyers, where they live may be just as important as what they live in. Throughout Central Florida, new-home communities are a far cry from the no-frills subdivisions of sidewalks and streetlights.
They have resort-style swimming pools, fitness facilities, athletic complexes, town centers, fishing docks and a lot more.
“Buyers are demanding more upgraded amenities than ever before,” says Orosz. “A simple playground or community pool will no longer suffice — instead the amenities need to be bigger and bolder.”
For example, in Ardmore Reserve in Lake County, AV Homes built a community clubhouse, splash pad and playground that has been a huge draw for families. And Bellalago in Osceola County offers a wonderful lifestyle for boaters — the community comes equipped with two boat ramps, two boat lifts and a fishing pier.
A number of communities feature town centers where residents can socialize, take exercise and educational classes, relax and play tennis and other sports.
David Weekley Homes also notes that high-density/mixed-use communities are more popular than ever, in part because they offer a no-maintenance lifestyle.
Urban infill projects also are gaining ground as more buyers hunt for new homes in well-established areas, says Tome. For example, he says, David Weekley has three such townhome projects in downtown Orlando.
AFFORDABILITY
But the sale is a non-starter if a potential buyer can’t swing the price. As a result, affordability will always be key.
With interest rates low but expected to rise, and a never-certain economy, buyers are looking for value. Builders are responding with an affordability push, with some new homes priced under $200,000.
“Because of attractive market conditions, competition in Central Florida’s homebuilding market is fierce,” says Orosz. “In fact, there are twice as many communities open today than 10 years ago. To be successful, builders need to constantly innovate and ensure that their communities stand out.”
Tome agrees. “The demand for affordable homes in good school districts is on the rise,” he says. “Our land acquisition team is continually seeking opportunities for this market.”
But considering the growing population of Central Florida, the inviting climate and the array of lifestyle choices in the Sunshine State, builders are optimistic that the housing market will continue to rebound.
And that’s all good news for homebuyers. Notes Pillsbury: “What an awesome time it is to buy a new home.”