I love watching the trends in the home building industry. In fact, it's one of my favorite subjects to read up on. What you need to realize is that the "HOT" trends of today are because of what you said was important. See if you agree with these sources of the latest and greatest trends in home design.
Everyone knows that Location, Price, and Condition always rule! However, "new materials and new technologies are reshaping the way we build." (Craven, About.com). With the emergence of casual entertaining and the home being a person's showcase, here's what sources have said are the "HOT" items in Home Building.
March 2007 - Realtor Magazine
May 2007 - Realtor Magazine
August 2007 - GR Press
Latest Recent Google Search - About.com
1. Earth-Friendly Design - Sensitivity to the environment and the reuse of materials
2. "Prefab" Construction - Far from the perceived notions of prefab and trailers, prefabricated materials come in all shapes and styles and have great new designs. Anyone hear of SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)? More to come on this later.
3. Adaptive Reuse - How can we reuse the buildings we already have?
4. Healthy Design - Increasing awareness is making healthy design a BIG deal. People have realized that they are becoming sick from the synthetic and chemical materials that are present in our homes.
5. Storm-Resistance - Can anyone say Hurricane Katrina?
6. Flexible Floor Plans - This one seems to be a trend everywhere I read. More people want the ability to use a great room and/or bonus room for multiple uses. Hence pocket doors and movable partitions are becoming vital.
7. Accessibility - Universal Design: making the room accessible to all individuals including those with disabilities. It includes wider hallways and doorways that is so beautifully blended in with the design that it doesn't look "handicap accessible."
8. Outdoor Rooms - Haven't heard of this one from other sources, but the article goes on to say that the yard/garden may become part of the floor plan on the patios and decks. It's not that far-fetched and you definitely won't have to walk that far to get fresh tomatoes if your garden is right off the slider.
9. Abundant Storage - Storage, storage, storage everywhere is now a necessity.
10. Eastern Ideas - Feng Shui principles are probably the most influential in homes today. The belief is that you will feel positive effects in your life.
There seems to be a common thread in most of these publications. Just to summarize:
•· People want large family rooms/great rooms
•· People want large, open kitchens
•· Various materials and textures is important
•· Universal Design will be a term that becomes more important
•· Healthier Homes, Environmental Concerns, Sustainability of the Home - "GREEN" concerns are affecting the way we build today!
References: Craven, Jackie. "Top 10 Trends in Home Design." About.com. http://architecture.about.com/od/buildyourhous1/tp/homedesigntrend.htm
March 2007. "The only tool you need." Realtor Magazine. http://www.REALTOR.org/realtormag
May 2007. Ballinger, Barbara. "Trends in Home Building & Design." Realtor Magazine. http://www.REALTOR.org/realtormag
August 19, 2007. Grand Rapids Press. "For homes in 2015, it's what's inside that will count."
Stay tuned for: "What Do You Think of When You Think of Green?" Coming soon.
Full time Realtor serving the Greater Grand Rapids area. I'm passionate about real estate and love working with first time home buyers, for sale by owners and buyers of green built homes.
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Good Post Tammy.. I've been pushing the universal and barrier free concept to potential investors for quite some time... I guess we'll see how it plays out.
Hi Tammy!
So good to see you. Are things picking up in MI yet? I've heard it is probably harder than most of the nation right now...but DO know there is hope!
All the best,
Beth
Hey Tammy,
Loved your post, you've put a lot of work into this one. As for outdoor rooms, outdoor kitchens are big in upscale SoCal homes. I would imagine that's true of any warm climate areas. Mine is not an upscale home, nor do I have a outdoor kitchen, yet I use my outdoor grill constantly. And if I were to remodel outside, I'd probably build one myself.
people tend to pay too much attention to what they read in print - not enough go with what they feel is right for them -
I like to see what is important to new buyers..I would like to make acopy of thispost and put it in my little sales facts book...Thanks.......MIke
Tammy - good to see you! I didn't get a chance to speak with you last week at Cascade Engineering. You have done a nice job summarizing! Thanks for the tips! I especially like the Earth friendly design, Adaptive Reuse and Healthy Design.
Dan - Universal Design is something more people need to know about. I know of a great builder that I believe does the best job with this concept if you need a referral.
Beth - We're hanging in there!
Lynda - I would love to see an outdoor room, if you have pics please send them.
Bill and Barbara Jo - Unfortunately, most people listen to the media and not their own heart.
Mike - Watching the trends is fun, you should try it sometime.
Mary- I'm finally getting back in the game. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around at all the meetings. You NEED to be there!
Tammy - Thanks! You'll be seeing me :0
Great post! Thanks for putting this together.