Building a new home is probably the single biggest financial investment you’ll ever make. With this in mind, it’s smart to make sure you choose a ‘future-proof’ home design that will last the distance, ensuring that your home continues to increase in value – whether you plan to stay for the long-term or sell in the future.
Building a new home is generally a long-term prospect, so it’s vital that you future-proof your home by choosing a house plan that meets both current and future lifestyle needs. Make sure the design you go with will still be relevant and liveable 10 to 15 years down the track. With this in mind, here are some important points to consider when choosing a future-proof home design.
It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised just how many people choose a home design that doesn’t allow for growth. Add one or two kids to the mix, and before you know it, your home is bursting at the seams. You don’t have enough storage. You need another bathroom. And the kitchen just isn’t equipped to deal with busy family life. Remember, your home is generally a long-term proposition that needs to grow with your family. So when you’re looking for the right home design for you, think about how your family will change over the coming years. How much space do you need now? Is your family still growing? Or are you about to become an empty nester? Do you need to allow for multi-generational living? More and more adult children are now living at home for longer. The answers to these questions will help you decide on the best home design to meet your changing needs.
Use your budget wisely by choosing quality inclusions and upgrades that will stand the test of time and appreciate in value. Avoid fads and trends that will become outdated quickly. If you have quirky or eclectic taste, be mindful of how you express it when choosing fixtures and fittings for your home, especially big ticket items. Think about what inclusions your home needs to make it an attractive proposition for potential buyers in the future, and make smart choices based on this. For example, you may not think you need to include a bathtub. You don’t take baths and your children are older, so the days of needing a bathtub are over. However, if you decide to sell, a home without a bath may alienate a significant number of potential buyers with a young family. It’s points like this that you need to consider carefully when you’re building. It’s not always about the way you live – especially if you think you might sell your home in the future. You need to take into account what most families would be looking for, and make sure the home you’re about to build ticks all these boxes.
Make sure you look for a builder who offers flexible, modern house designs. If you’re planning on staying in the home you build for a number of years, you should think about how you can repurpose certain rooms further down the track, and look for designs that offer flexibility. For example, a playroom could be changed into a teenage retreat, or a kid’s bedroom could be turned into a home office or guest room. Consider the placement of the bathrooms carefully. Are they where they need to be when you repurpose certain rooms in the future? What design elements will make your life easier? Wide hallways are easier to navigate, while open plan living gives you more flexibility for the future.
Styling and design that’s ‘on trend’ might look great now, but as fashions change you can end up with something that looks very outdated. Choosing a timeless, classic look and feel will save you the cost of having to remodel or redecorate in the future. This also applies to the façade of your home. First impressions are everything, so it’s important to create street appeal with a classic colour palette and complementary landscaping.
Many home buyers believe that the physical characteristics of their home alone will lead to increased property value. But in reality, the land it’s built on is just as crucial to the value of your property. Understanding how prospective land values influence property returns allows you to make better choices. Land appreciates because it is limited in supply. This means that as the population increases, so does the demand for land, driving the price up over time. So it pays to do some research into the location and potential of the land you’re considering before you purchase and start building. Historically, land that’s close to schools, hospitals, shopping, public transport and other amenities tends to rise in value more than blocks of land without these facilities nearby. If you’re looking at land in a newly developed community, make sure you check out the master plan first to ensure that you will have access to these amenities in the future.
If you’re looking to build a future-proof home, Hallmark Homes have a huge range of flexible house designs that will ensure you’ll be able to live the lifestyle you want, both now and in the future. At Hallmark, we know that creating a cohesive look for your new home is vital, as it can add enormous value to your greatest asset. At Select by Hallmark, our expert consultants will personally guide you through all of your colour selections, ensuring that everything you choose works together seamlessly, both inside and out. They will also help you make smart choices when it comes to appliances, finishes, fixtures, cabinetry, plus much more.
If you’re thinking of building a new home in South-East Queensland, our friendly team is ready to help. Come and visit one of our display centres for yourself or check out our virtual tours and house plans from the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions about our single storey, double storey, acreage, narrow lot home designs, house and land packages, or how you can take advantage of the government grants on offer, please contact us today.
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