The best thing about custom home designs is that you can tailor them to your exact needs. You can get everything from built-ins the perfect size to display your specific collectibles to an extra-tall cupboard in the kitchen just for your grandmother’s old stock pot. But custom homes are also an investment, and you probably expect to sell your house someday, too. This means it’s good to keep in mind the tastes of prospective buyers who might be looking at the house in the future in order to get the best return on your investment. Here’s what buyers expect to find in the best custom homes:
- Gourmet Kitchens
The most important selling feature of any house is the kitchen. Make sure you’re using solid wood cabinets in a style that’s consistent with the architecture of the house, and choose stainless steel appliances. A gas cooktop and double wall ovens will add more value than a standard range, and it’s a good idea to have additional appliances such as a microwave and warming drawer built in.
- Plenty of Bathrooms
Just like kitchens, bathrooms sell houses. And especially in a more luxurious home, you should try to keep the number of bedrooms and bathrooms roughly proportionate. This doesn’t have to mean an attached bathroom for every single bedroom, but having a shared hall bath should be balanced out by at least a main-floor powder room. Even if you personally think it’s silly to have a separate bathroom for each family member, your house will stand out on the market when it’s time to sell.
- Walk-In Closets
One feature that sets apart mid-level homes from luxury ones is the amount of closet space and how it’s organized. The master suite, at the very least, should have a walk-in closet with hanging, shelf and drawer space. Installing built-ins is even more of a plus.
- High-End Materials
People expect high-end materials in custom homes. Real wood or bamboo, natural stone, custom tilework — these are the things you should be considering. The good news is that these materials are also more durable, so you’ll be able to enjoy them in peak condition for longer.
- A Quality Luxury Home Builder
The builder of the house matters, too. Not all luxury home builders really have the experience to fully customize a house. Try to get a personal referral, if you know someone who has been happy with their home, or look at home builder reviews on sites like Angie’s List. If the home isn’t well built, it won’t hold up over time — and that’s the loss of a big investment.
Do you have any tips to add on choosing a luxury home builder? Join the discussion in the comments!