Building a Spec Home- what are people looking for? (transplants, 2014)

[Bcastgrrl]

We bought the rundown home next door to us (in a great neighborhood) out from under a "cookie cutter" McMansion builder & plan to build a spec home that suits our street better than what this particular builder does (they maximize building size on the lot).

The realtors I've spoken with say people want a 5/4 with granite counters, crown moiling, coffered ceilings & more, but everyone I've asked says they didn't necessarily like that- it's just what their house came with. I.E. most of the homes on our street use their dining rooms for kids' toy rooms!

So I ask YOU fine people:

What are some of the things you would consider when looking for a new home (besides location & schools)?

Are granite countertops really that important (I've learned to hate them between them ruining my shirts & easily breaking stemware)??

Are formal dining rooms a thing of the past? Do you prefer one giant great room instead?

And style- do you like the modern craftsman homes even though there's really only about 6 variations of them?

What about contemporary clean lines, like in a Prairie Style?

[T. Damon]

How do granite countertops ruin your shirts?

[chimama1]

Originally Posted by Bcastgrrl

We bought the rundown home next door to us (in a great neighborhood) out from under a "cookie cutter" McMansion builder & plan to build a spec home that suits our street better than what this particular builder does (they maximize building size on the lot).

The realtors I've spoken with say people want a 5/4 with granite counters, crown moiling, coffered ceilings & more, but everyone I've asked says they didn't necessarily like that- it's just what their house came with. I.E. most of the homes on our street use their dining rooms for kids' toy rooms!

So I ask YOU fine people:

What are some of the things you would consider when looking for a new home (besides location & schools)?

Are granite countertops really that important (I've learned to hate them between them ruining my shirts & easily breaking stemware)??

Are formal dining rooms a thing of the past? Do you prefer one giant great room instead?

And style- do you like the modern craftsman homes even though there's really only about 6 variations of them?

What about contemporary clean lines, like in a Prairie Style?

Interesting situation! This sounds fun--I hope you'll post updates as you go.

Here's my 2 cents (as a recent home buyer/seller earlier this year)

It sounds like you really want this house to fit your neighborhood. That should define your exterior style. IMO, most buyers don't care too terribly if their new home is craftsman or Prairie, that's the type of house they're looking for (as opposed to "only brick" or "only stucco" etc.)

You're also designing a house to sell to your future next door neighbors. I would keep this in mind as I made a lot of my design choices. From which way windows and garages face and how the yard is situated, to what type of people you think would fit well into your neighborhood (Young families? Starter homes? "Forever" home? Transplants? Dual or single income? Master on main? Retirees? etc)

What is it that draws buyers to your street? Why did you buy this house? Great schools? Good commute? Large lots? Walkable area?

What is the price range people would expect to pay for new construction in your area? That will guide the choices too (yours and the buyers.)

As far as granite, I don't think you have to have it, but if all the houses around you have it, you do need to have some type of solid surface countertop (Quartz, silestone, etc) I, too, am wondering about the shirt thing??

Are most houses 5/4? I know one of our requirements was minimum 5 bedrooms, and one of those secondary bedrooms could not be a guest on main or basement--basically 4 secondary bedrooms had to be on the same floor, or 2 up/2 down (not including the master, and still not in the basement.) We weren't nearly so particular about the number of bathrooms Point being, people have all sorts of unique requests they are not willing to compromise. Unfortunately, you can't plan for that!

Coffered ceilings and crown molding I could take or leave, as long as it's not too ornate. If it's tastefully done, then I think I house with coffered ceilings and crown molding appears to be higher quality than one without (even though clearly, it's all for looks!)

I, too, know lots of families that use their dining rooms as play rooms, and I would be fine without a "formal" dining room if the other designated eating area was plenty large enough. But if I were buying such a house, I would definitely think about what large family gatherings and other parties would look like. It's nice to have several different places to sit--even if that doesn't happen until the kids are older! And another question: if they didn't have those formal dining rooms, where would those families have their playrooms? Maybe you're thinking more of an "office/library" with a door rather than a dining room?

Overall, I personally prefer quality over quantity. A simpler, but well-designed and well-contrived house with a nice, useable yard (wouldn't have to be huge) is vastly preferable, IMO, than a cheaper, larger, corner-cutting house, thoughtlessly positioned on the lot.

Post some more details!!

[10 feet tall]

Natural light. Windows. Think something along the lines of the home in the link. This type of thing is red hot nowadays.Be the Second Owner Ever of This Groovy Mid-Century Mod in Sherman Oaks - New to Market - Curbed LA

[AnsleyPark]

Front porch. Back deck. Basement for the kids - not in the adult living area. 4 or more bedrooms. Nice master. Granite or quartz countertops. Hardwoods. Fireplaces. High ceilings. Open floor plan. I don't think that formal dining or living rooms add much - haven't used one in years. Wired for speakers and home automation throughout.

[AtlantaComment]

depends entirely on your neighborhood and what kind of price you can get for a new house. Start at determining the price point and work your way back. Answers will be different for a million dollar house vs a $300k one.

Also people are quick to dismiss certain features when asked about it (crown molding, stone counters etc), but probably wouldnt have bought their house if those features were completely absent! Take a look at recent new construction in your area either through open houses or online listings and see what others have done. Most builders are pretty risk averse on spec houses so this should give you a pretty good idea of what is the standard for your area.

[ecuresident]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Front porch. Back deck. Basement for the kids - not in the adult living area. 4 or more bedrooms. Nice master. Granite or quartz countertops. Hardwoods. Fireplaces. High ceilings. Open floor plan. I don't think that formal dining or living rooms add much - haven't used one in years. Wired for speakers and home automation throughout.

Ditto! I personally could care less about Granite, but it was something my wife wanted.

[midtown mile girl]

Don't forget practical things like storage and shelving in the laundry area, and a spot for everyone to hang coats and set aside bags and that sort of thing coming inside (like a mudroom type of area).
One thing I have seen before is a drawer/cabinet with an electrical outlet inside so hairdryers, etc. can be used in the master bath and put away without having to constantly having to plug/unplug

[AnsleyPark]

Oh, a walk in pantry - one of the best features I've ever had in a house!

[nanhi]

Bedroom on main with full bath, screened deck, kitchen with island where u can sit