Building a new home is a unique opportunity to create the living space of your dreams, with everything exactly as you envision it for your family. The process is an exciting one, but it’s also full of big decisions to be made. Knowing which features to consider when building a new home allows you to design a space you’ll love for years to come, without missing a single important detail.

In this guide, we’ll walk through some of those most important features, including why they matter so much in the new home building process, different options for each, and tips for finding the right team and resources to help make your dream home a reality.

Quick Takeaways:

• Location and land selection is an important first step. Homebuyers can decide between a private plot of land or an established community.

• When designing your home layout, it’s important to keep long-term needs (ex: a growing family) and long-term needs (ex: aging in place) in mind.

• Energy-efficient building materials and smart home technologies can enhance convenience, cost savings, and safety in your new home.

• Outdoor spaces should be designed intentionally as extensions of your indoor living space.

• Finding the right team to help you execute the building process, including your real estate agent and builder, is essential to ensure smooth execution.

Location and Land Selection

Building your dream home starts with choosing the right location and land. As you think about where you want to live, consider the following factors:

• Neighborhood: Choose a neighborhood with the style, culture, and amenities you want for your family. Assess important factors like walkability, entertainment, schools, and lifestyle.
• Orientation: Think about the direction your home will face, which can affect natural light and energy efficiency.
• Private Land vs. Development: Decide if you want to live on a completely private plot of land or purchase in a development. The former will give you more privacy and often more customization options, but the latter comes with a built-in community and other amenities.
• Accessibility and Safety: Ensure that your land is accessible and compliant with local regulations.

Home Design and Layout

Building a new home grants you the freedom to design the layout to meet your specific needs. This is one of the most fundamental features to consider when building a new home, and one that plays a big role in determining the longevity of your home and your quality of life there. Be sure to consider the following when designing your home layout:

• Open Concept vs. Traditional: Do you prefer an open concept layout with great rooms and wide visibility, or a traditional layout where rooms are separated by walls and archways?
• Number of Floors: Deciding if you want a single-story, split-level, or multi-story home will determine many other possibilities for your home layout.
• Long-term accessibility: If you’re building your forever home, consider accessibility and universal design concepts that will make your home liveable at any age.
• Space Allocation: Determine the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and common spaces you want based on your long-term family needs (ex: Are you a growing family or soon-to-be empty nester? Do you often host guests? These kinds of questions help determine the right number of rooms in your home.)
• Functionality: Ensure that the layout maximizes functionality and convenience for daily living. Work with a professional architect and home builder who can guide you.

Energy-Efficient Building Materials

There are benefits to using energy-efficient building materials for you as the homeowner that extend beyond being environmentally friendly. It can save you money and even keep you more comfortable and safe. Here are some features to consider:

 

• Cool roof: A cool roof reflects heat from the sun to keep your house cooler on hot days.
• Insulated Windows: Well-insulated windows regulate temperature more efficiently and reduce overall energy consumption.
• Solar Panels: Solar panels convert solar energy into electricity to power your home.
• Efficient Insulation: High-quality insulation materials also enhance energy efficiency and comfort.
• Sustainable Materials: Explore sustainable construction materials like recycled steel to reduce environmental impact.

Outdoor Spaces and Landscaping Design

When you design your outdoor space intentionally, it can become an organic extension of your indoor home that you can enjoy year-round. Think about the following aspects of outdoor spaces:

• Gardens: Design areas of your outdoor spaces for flowers and plants, keeping in mind the level of upkeep they’ll require and what you’re able to maintain
• Pathways and walkways: Install pathways where needed to make it easier to navigate your outdoor spaces, especially if you have a large yard or extended land
• Outdoor living areas: Consider creating outdoor living spaces, like sitting areas or kitchens, to extend your functional square footage. Think about outdoor electricity and plumbing needs.

Smart Home Technology Integration

Smart home technology offers unprecedented levels of convenience and can also contribute to energy efficiency in your new home. Installing smart home technologies during the construction process is easier than adding it after construction is complete, so it’s definitely an important feature to consider when building a new home.

Common smart home technologies include:

 

• Smart Lighting Control: Lighting systems that allow you to control brightness, color, ambiance, and automated lighting schedules with a smartphone app or voice commands
• Smart Thermostats: Programmable thermostat that learns your heating and cooling preferences, adjusts based on your schedule, and can be controlled remotely for energy efficiency
• Home Security Systems: Comprehensive home security systems with features like smart locks, doorbell cameras, motion detectors, and window sensors that send and receive real-time alerts and monitor your home remotely
• Smart Blinds and Shades: Motorized window coverings that can be controlled remotely or scheduled to adjust for natural light, privacy, and energy efficiency.
• Smart Appliances: Appliances that can be monitored and controlled remotely
• Automated Irrigation: Irrigation system that adapts watering schedules based on weather and soil moisture levels to conserve water and maintain a healthy landscape
• Whole-House Audio: Distributed audio system that allows you to play music throughout your home, with different zones and volume control in each room
• Smart HVAC Zoning: HVAC zones with individual climate control for each room or area in your home, optimizing energy efficiency and personal comfort

Finding the Right Team

Bringing your new home vision to life requires the support of a great team of professionals that should include a real estate agent, an architect, and a builder (among others). From the start, assembling a team of professionals you fully trust can make the entire building process more seamless and stress-free.

Thoroughly research and vet every person you hire, and whenever possible, talk to former clients to get firsthand testimonials vouching for their work and service quality.

During the building process, always go with your gut and maintain open, honest communication. Never hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns when you have them. Remember: This is your home, and it’s your team’s job to support you in getting it right.

Looking to build a new construction home in the Dayton area? Oberer Homes can help you design a home you’re sure to love. Contact us today to learn more and get started!