Ensure Your New Home Has These Features
When it comes to home ownership, there are many factors to consider. It can be easy to prioritise a big-ticket item, such as remodelling the kitchen. However, in a new home, you should not overlook the small conveniences that impact your day-to-day life. From smart wiring to clever storage methods, here are 21 features that buyers regret skipping in their new homes.
Adequate Storage
It is easy to overlook the amount of storage space required for your belongings in a new home. Over time, having a lack of space can become extremely frustrating. So, whether it's having access to your attic or ensuring your garage has sufficient shelving room, remember not to skip estimating your storage needs, as things will quickly become cluttered.
Energy-Efficient Windows
It can be easy to look past the right windows during the purchasing process. However, failing to consider energy-efficient windows for your home can lead to increased utility bills and inadequate insulation. From drafts to temperature swings and condensation issues, energy-efficient windows prevent all these issues.
Soundproofing Between Rooms
Everyone knows how frustrating it is to hear what others are doing in other parts of the house, especially when you need to focus. Noise travels a lot more than buyers would expect. Somewhere down the line, you will wish you had soundproofed your home for optimal peace of mind.
Outdoor Area
Although not always optional, having an outdoor area for your home can be a major dealbreaker. From a patio to a deck or backyard, having a place outside to call your own is massively undervalued. Without an outdoor space, your options for social events and leisure are limited.
Kitchen Pantry
When searching for new homes on the market, it's always beneficial to look for one that features a kitchen pantry. If you are someone who regularly hosts guests or has kids, you will quickly realise how important extra space is, as it's easy for the kitchen to become cluttered and crowded with appliances and groceries.
Entryway Mudroom
The front door can quickly become a war zone filled with shoes and coats without a proper space to store them. If you live in a rainy climate, having a dedicated space for your umbrella and boots is a necessity. Mudrooms are also a plus for pet owners, as they provide a convenient space to store collars, toys, and leashes.
Lighting
Having enough light in a home is crucial. Whether it's natural light or having enough lighting fixtures, you don’t want a home that is stuck in the Middle Ages. Simply adding a lamp won’t suffice; be sure to view the home you’re buying when the lighting is on. Lighting affects everything from mood to aesthetics and even productivity.
Electrical Outlets in Key Areas
When looking for a house, you want to ensure it is equipped with sufficient electrical outlets in convenient locations that meet all your electrical and technological needs. Skipping out on this can be extremely frustrating in the long run, as simply adding an outlet is no simple job.
Extra Bathroom
If possible, it's always nice to have an extra bathroom. Whether it's for guests or if your family is growing, having only one bathroom can often feel like a lack of privacy due to the constant queuing. When looking to purchase a house, consider homes that have an extra bathroom, even if it's a small one.
Laundry Room Location
In the long run, you’re going to be doing lots of laundry in your new home. You want to ensure that your laundry location is conveniently located. Having it tucked away in the basement may seem fine at first, but you’ll soon realise that proximity is king in the laundry world.
Quality Kitchen Appliances
Investing in high-quality kitchen appliances is essential for new homeowners. You want the tools to get the job done. Outdated appliances are often inefficient, costly, and simply frustrating to use. Having the equipment to match your new home beats using the barely functional machinery you’re used to.
Central Air Conditioning
It may not seem apparent in the cooler seasons, but when summer comes around, you’re going to wish you had chosen that home that has a central cooling unit. Keep a keen eye out for homes that already include units, as retrofitting them can be pricey.
Durable Flooring
Carpeted flooring may look cozy and comfortable at first, but it wears quickly and stains easily. Hardwood or tile flooring is much easier to clean and often looks a lot better. Replacing flooring down the line is also a costly endeavor.
Home Office Room
It’s common these days to work remotely or in a hybrid setting after the pandemic, and what better than to have your home office room! It is more important than ever to have a dedicated space where you can purely focus on your work and avoid outside distractions.
Smart Home Wiring
The modern home requires modern wiring. Whether it's for the internet, security, or smart lighting, having a house that's up to date and ready to host the latest technology is more important than you might think. Looking for homes that are already prewired and set up saves a lot of the annoying hassle that comes with retrofitting smart tech.
Sufficient Garage Space
A single-car garage may initially appear sufficient, but buyers often regret not opting for a larger space. Whether your garage doubles as a workshop, bike storage area, or utility space, you'll want to make room for your hobbies. Once you run out of room, there is little that can be done.
Ceiling Fans in Key Rooms
Always look for a home that has ceiling fans in the essential rooms, such as the living room or bedrooms. It is especially crucial if you live in a warmer climate. They are a serious comfort enhancer during those summer days when you wouldn’t dare leave the house if you had to.
Outdoor Privacy
A big, open backyard may seem spacious at first, but it's easy to forget that you may want a little more privacy during your homeownership. Ensure the home you’re interested in has hedges or fencing that provide the property with a bit more seclusion.
Finished Basement or Attic Spaces
Unfinished spaces can give the illusion of potential during a home tour, but finishing them requires time, effort, money, and sometimes even permits. You want to look for a home that has had all its space accounted for, so you don’t get stuck in a lengthy, expensive project from the start.
Ensuite Master Bathroom
Having an ensuite bathroom doesn’t only have to be for the luxurious. Master bathrooms provide privacy, comfort, and personal space. When looking for a new home that you will spend a lot of time in, you will regret not having the convenience of an en-suite bathroom.
Walk-In Closet
Dressers and storage bins will make a room feel cramped quickly. If the home you are considering has a walk-in closet, be sure to take note of it, as the extra space is something that will feel like a luxury, regardless of how long you live in that home.
