Housing 2012:
A Walkthrough Of What’s New
There are many reasons someone wants to own a home. Maybe just married, or maybe just divorced. Maybe starting a family and needs more space, or maybe “empty-nesting” and needs less space. Maybe a fabulous new job, a transfer to another town, or retirement. Whatever the reason,
owning a home is viewed by most people as the realization of “The American Dream.”
But why do so many people buy a new home? Anyone who remembers the movie “The Money Pit” knows the answer … and probably will want to think twice before purchasing a used home. Or at least rent and watch it before signing on the dotted line.
The “New” Rationale
After listening to a focus group, one savvy home shopper realized she would actually end up paying more to find an acceptable used home and then remodel it to fit her family’s wants and needs. She would have warranties only on the appliances she purchased new, and she was concerned that renovations could break her budget, especially if she ran into unwelcome surprises. “I don’t know what’s behind those walls, and who knows what can of worms may be opened?” she explained. She understood that it was cheaper in the long run to buy new.
In her “new” home epiphany, this savvy shopper discovered that she could talk to the builder, work with the floor plans offered and tailor one to fit her needs, including the features and products she wanted. She knew that the home and its parts would be covered by warranties, so she wouldn’t have to worry about “What’s next?” as in a remodeling process. She could set a budget and stick to it. She also knew that today’s better technology would save her money. And the builders were motivated to help accomplish her goal in creating a home that was right for her.
While new construction may not be for everyone, if you’re seriously contemplating buying a home, you should at least consider buying new. By comparing new to used, you will better appreciate the details and construction of your future residence, whether you choose a home built in 2012 or in 1912.
If you are looking to buy new, why not save time and go to the experts who know how to provide the latest and greatest in home products and features? Charleston area builders are innovative craftsmen who continually seek and research new products and features. They look at building trends and home designs. They talk to shoppers and listen to what prospective buyers want in a home. They know that in these challenging economic times, the key to winning customers is offering innovative designs that potential homeowners want and need. It’s not a one-size-fits-all home-buying market anymore. Builders, more than ever, are working hard to design homes that are comfortable, energy-efficient and low-maintenance. Providing each customer with a lasting investment is what matters most.
Although today’s new homes may initially cost a little more than used homes, modern building methods and technological advances allow for lower operating costs, which will ultimately save you money far into the future. As you are shopping for your new home, be sure to discuss with the builders their new features and techniques for 2012. Ask about the latest technologies and what options are available. What makes their homes different from other area homes? How can they help make your lifestyle more carefree with lower home-maintenance requirements? How can they help you save money over the years? The questions are endless and the builders are happy to help. It’s an inexpensive education on where today’s technology is going and how it will help us in our busy lives.
Exciting Elevations
So, what sorts of innovations can home buyers look forward to in 2012? When The Guide first started developing this article, 10* area builders sent us pages upon pages of new techniques, designs, features and cutting-edge products. The following are just a few highlights of the many incredible features local home builders are now incorporating in their new construction.
First, we’ll start with the exterior of a home. Please know that even though a particular builder’s name may be noted, many of these features and techniques are also being used by other area builders. Builders mentioned below are merely to demonstrate the product, feature, design or technology. These may be standard features, or offered as available options or upgrades. Be sure to ask your builder(s) what is standard and what is considered an option/upgrade.
Insulation – R-38, spray foam, upgraded spider and Typar® house wrap are just a few items being used to make new homes more energy-efficient and reduce heating and cooling costs.
- Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing – Now widely used by many area builders, including Harbor Homes, radiant barriers increase energy efficiency and help alleviate extreme attic temperatures by reflecting heat out of the attic (also known as transfer heat).
30-year Architectural Shingles – These attractive, functional shingles extend the life of your roof.
- Advanced Framing – According to David Weekley Homes, this framing method utilizes a stacked-wood technique, where components of the frame align on top of each other to more efficiently transfer the load, or weight, down to the foundation. Not only does advanced framing increase a home’s strength, but the use of durable, 2’x6’ exterior framing material allows for almost 50% more insulation in the walls. Advanced framing saves on lumber, supports better insulation and reduces the occurrence of drywall cracking, giving you a tighter, quieter, more energy-efficient home.
Upgraded Garage Doors – Modern designs enhance your home’s curb appeal.
- Low-E Insulated, Tilt-out Vinyl Windows – Low-emissivity thermal-insulated windows keep heat out during the summer and in during the winter. The tilt feature makes them a breeze to clean, and the vinyl material means no need to paint. Energy-efficient, cost-cutting and easy to maintain.
- High-Performance Doors – Create greater energy efficiency by reducing heat flow and air infiltration, while preserving solar energy gains.
- Air Barriers & Sealing – This technique helps to protect living areas from garage fumes and other outside contaminants, allowing for better indoor air quality while reducing energy loss and eliminating drafts.
- Improved Pest Control Systems – David Weekley Homes uses pre-treated lumber to prevent infestations, while Harbor Homes utilizes the Taexx In-wall System. This system, which is serviced from outside the home for minimal disruption to the homeowner, reduces exposure to harmful pesticides by controlling pests inside the walls.
- Tankless Gas Water Heater – All of the participating builders mentioned offer this feature as an option in their neighborhoods that have natural gas. Tankless water heaters provide greater energy efficiency, along with an endless supply of hot water.
Energy-efficient HVAC System With Programmable Thermostat – Builders have the ability to “right-size” these heating and cooling systems (with minimum SEER rating of 13) to ensure the best configuration for each home. A programmable thermostat can be pre-set on the most efficient settings so the system can do its job. A used home’s units are usually not up to current industry standards, costing you more to operate and maintain.
- Home Energy Rating Systems – One of several home-rating services, the HERS rating index allows comparisons between new code-built home and existing homes. Whereas the well-known Energy Star designation is a yes/no certification, the HERS index provides a standardized evaluation of a home’s energy efficiency and expected annual energy savings. The lower the HERS rating, the more energy-efficient the home. For example, a new code-built home typically has a HERS rating of 100. A home with a score of 75 would be 25% more energy-efficient than a typical new code-built home. The rating is calculated by an independent third party who inspects and rates each and every new home.
A Peek Inside
Now let’s look at the new interior features and design options being offered for 2012. As with today’s exteriors, modern interiors are being designed with energy, time, and cost efficiency in mind. Options and upgrades are plentiful, and what you get depends largely on what you want … and, of course, your budget.These days, a lot of emphasis is being placed on the kitchen. Since so much time is spent in this “heart of the home,” kitchen designs are taking into account not only function, but also livability and style – where practical meets gourmet. Look for new, updated cabinets and tile backsplashes with designer flair. Countertops can range from granite to laminate and non-porous quartz. Ryland Homes will also offer listello and cooktop accents. Upgraded appliances may include gas or electric cooktops, double ovens, French door refrigerators, confectioners’ ovens, downdraft vents, and front-load washers and dryers. Flooring could be tile, hardwood, or laminate.
Look for other neat kitchen options, such as WaterSense faucets (Sabal Homes); Electronics Ports for smartphones, tablets and computers (Harbor Homes); Task Centers – centralized places for schoolwork, bill-paying or computing (Centex and Pulte Homes); Stash Centers (Harbor Homes; and Drop Zones – located just inside from the garage, where shoes, bookbags, keys, purses, etc., can be “dropped” for easy retrieval (Centex and Pulte Homes)
Bathrooms also have some interesting upgrade options available. For example, Sabal Homes will offer Kohler & Sterling’s new product line of sleek pedestal sinks and toilets, as well as WaterSense showerheads, faucets and dual-flush toilets, all designed to save water. Ryland Homes will offer luxury tile showers with tile floors, corner seats, and optional glass inserts.
Lighting designs and options are abundant and varied to accommodate personal tastes, and most are Energy Star-rated. Sabal Homes is offering Motion Sensitive Interior Lighting, which uses sensors to automatically turn on the lights when someone enters a room, and shut them off after a set period of no movement. They are perfect for hallways, garages, basements and anywhere you may forget to turn off the lights or have switches that are difficult to access.
Many flooring options for 2012 are green product-related. For example, Harbor Homes is incorporating low-voc carpet and padding made from recycled materials. Ryland Homes is introducing attractive, durable and eco-friendly lines of Armstrong and Bruce laminate flooring. And David Weekley Homes is offering Armstrong/Beaulieu carpets with the new “magic fresh” and silver release feature, which releases antimicrobials/anti-allergens into the home to break down odors and improve air quality.
Other exciting new home options include Central Vacs, whole-house purifiers, low-voc paint, programmable thermostats, carbon monoxide detectors (some builders provide as standard), built-in ironing boards, and wet bars with wine racks and cooler capacities.
New technologies integrate duct blasters and blower door tests, as well as in-depth energy modeling based on home orientation and features/spec levels, for the tightest, most energy-efficient and cost-effective home you can buy.
Great Design Rules
Feedback from homeowners, new home shoppers and real estate professionals has tremendous influence, and builders are constantly redesigning and developing new floor plans and elevations to meet the demands of today’s new home buyers. Maximizing square footage, adding in thoughtful details and utilizing cutting-edge technology are design goals that builders consistently strive to achieve. While features, products, home designs and building technologies vary depending on price range, the drive to make today’s homes the best they can be is universal.
Design trends for 2012 include comfortably stylish living areas, dramatic entrances/foyers, increased attic space and redesigned closets for ample storage, more two-story plans that feature a first-floor master suite, spacious secondary bedrooms, and larger laundry rooms that may have built-in ironing boards, sinks, cabinets, and space for a folding table. Screened porches, guest/mother-in-law suites over tandem garages and, depending on the lot and plan, three-car or side-load garages are also popular.
The new year has a lot to offer new home buyers. In today’s market, builders know that value, operating costs and livability of a home are important to their customers. Better construction methods, “must-see” modern features and exciting new products all come together to create a home that will cost less to operate and maintain and is more efficient overall than an older home.
To learn more about additional features and techniques builders are using in the Greater Charleston area, call or stop by any of the neighborhoods listed in The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide.
*The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide would like to thank our 10 participating builders for their contributions to this article: Centex, Dan Ryan Builders, David Weekley Homes, DR Horton, Eastwood Homes, Harbor Homes, Manorhouse Builders, Pulte Homes, Ryland Homes and Sabal Homes.
Please visit each of these builders’ websites for additional information on their home products and features. For quick helpful links to the builders, products and features mentioned above, visit our website at www.CharlestonNewHomesGuide.com/resources/cover-story
www.sabalhomessc.com/green-homes.cfm
www.ryland.com/houseworks.html
www.davidweekleyhomes.com/new-homes/charleston/david-weekleys-green-home/
www.mungo.com/hausmart/
www.blissflooring.com/bliss/about/beaulieu/brand/fashionsmart.aspx
www.lpcorp.com/techshield/
www.geappliances.com/products/cafe/
www.geappliances.com/products/brands/profile.htm
www.kohler.com/corporate/business/kitchen-and-bath.html
Images Courtesy of: Anderson Windows; Beaulieu Carpet; GETM Profile Series; GE Cafe®; GWD/Trane; Kohler; LP Building Products; Taexx In-wall System and from Centex, Dan Ryan Builders, David Weekley Homes, DR Horton, Eastwood Homes, Harbor Homes, Manorhouse Builders, Pulte Homes, Ryland Homes and Sabal Homes.