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As an unsustainably hot housing market slows down to "real
time," buyers are seeking answers to lots of questions about
how to find the right home. And while the old real estate saying
about the three most  important
attributes being "location, location and location" still
has some truth to it, today's consumers are more savvy and more
discerning. Location is only part of the equation: It's also about
conveniences and amenities.
And for conveniences and amenities, it's hard to beat a new home.
Today, new homes are safer, more efficient, and more packed with
popular amenities than ever.
Safety. Technological advances mean that today's homes are safer,
because new homes take advantage of breakthroughs in building science.
Homes now have advanced electrical systems, hardwired smoke detectors,
and fire-resistant construction details. Windows in patio doors
and near stairways have tempered glass, which makes them less likely
to cause injury if they break.
Efficiency. Home builders also have an ever-expanding array of
products and materials to choose from to enable them to make a house
more resource-efficient and water-thrifty. Many home builders participate
in programs like ENERGY STAR®, promoting energy-efficient appliances,
and WaterSense, promoting water efficiency. Green building is another
new trend that's getting legs as builders return to age-old practices
like siting a home to take the best advantage of sunlight and shade,
and recent innovations like solar shingles (not just solar roof
panels), light-conserving windows, and insulation made from recycled
materials. Innovation and consumer demand are combining to produce
a "leaner" home. Technology has changed, and so has the
market.
Lifestyle. Today's new home plans reflect what today's home buyer
wants: larger kitchens for family gatherings, bigger closets, ample
storage space, and more bathrooms. Consumers are seeking greater
ceiling heights, more-and bigger-closets, walk-in showers with multiple
heads, three-car garages, and outdoor entertainment spaces with
fireplaces and grills. And builders are responding with designs
that provide these features.
In fact, that's a big reason why people seek new homes. Consumers
want value, but they also want choices. They want to pick their
carpet colors, their cabinet styles, their light fixtures and other
design elements that help make a house a home.
The decisions shouldn't be about whether it's a good time to buy
a home, because homeownership remains the American Dream, despite
occasional highs and lows in the market. The decisions should be
about personal choice: finding the home that's right for the buyer.
Choosing a new home helps make it a perfect fit.
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