8 Home Amenities to Consider Adding to Your “Must-haves” List.
Purchasing a new home can be a multifaceted and costly endeavor, with numerous options and amenities to take into account before making a decision. From pricing and bedroom/bathroom count to wall color schemes, cabinets, countertops, total square footage, and property size, each factor plays a crucial role in determining the right home for you. When making your list of “must-haves” these are 8 things to consider adding to your list.
Primary Bathroom/Suite
To best enjoy your home, you should focus on one of the primary rooms in your house, the master bedroom. Here, you will sleep, dress, put on your makeup, and even gather with your family for important and decisive talks. But there is another aspect to the master bedroom that no homeowner should ever dismiss – the master bathroom. The master bathroom is sometimes called an “ensuite,” meaning that the bathroom is attached to the master bedroom with private access rather than located in the nearby hallway.
A master bathroom adds an inviting and appealing touch to your master bedroom, completing the overall experience. The convenience of having the bathroom directly connected to your master bedroom reduces the distance you need to travel after showering or bathing, as opposed to walking down the hall. Once you experience the convenience and comfort of having a master bathroom, it may become an indispensable amenity you’ll never want to live without.
Stainless-Steel Kitchen Appliances
Stainless steel appliances are a premium amenity for your new home. They’re more expensive than black or white appliances and have more durability. This means stainless-steel appliances will last longer with fewer repairs or maintenance needs than non-stainless-steel appliances. You’ll pay more for these appliances but they’re well worth it.
Fenced-in Backyard
A fenced-in backyard is one of the best amenities you could buy for your new home. You might have small children who would love to run around in the backyard. A fenced backyard provides parents with a much greater sense of safety and peace of mind when their kids are playing outside, compared to an unfenced yard. The same applies if you have dogs or cats that will be much safer outside than without a fenced yard.
Moreover, you might one day want to install an inground pool in your backyard. Most local laws and ordinances require homeowners to have a fence surrounding their pool. Also, having a fence will increase the property value when you decide to sell your home down the road or take out an equity line of credit or a second mortgage against your home’s equity.
Open Floor Plan
When searching for a new home, prioritize an open floor plan, where nearly every room seamlessly connects and shares a visual flow with others. This delightful feature creates an illusion of increased space without requiring additional square footage at a higher cost. The openness of each room becomes apparent, particularly when the kitchen, dining room, and living area blend seamlessly without separating walls. Embrace the sense of freedom and visual appeal this floor plan offers, making your living space feel more expansive and enjoyable.
Updated Kitchen with Island and Premium Countertops
Purchasing a home with an updated kitchen is highly recommended. In addition to stainless-steel appliances, it’s essential to prioritize finding the most spacious kitchen within your budget. Look for a home featuring a kitchen island and top-notch countertops like granite or quartz. A generously-sized island at the heart of your modern kitchen will offer abundant countertop space for meal preparation and serving. Additionally, premium countertops not only enhance visual appeal but also provide superior durability compared to basic, inexpensive materials like Formica.
Downstairs Bathroom
When purchasing a two-story home, like a colonial or high-ranch architectural style, it is essential to ensure that it includes at least one downstairs bathroom. While having a full bathroom with a shower and bath downstairs is a plus, it’s not a strict necessity. A half bath with a toilet, sink, mirrored vanity cabinet, and a wall-hung towel rack should suffice on the ground floor. Without a downstairs bathroom, you’ll face the inconvenience of having to go upstairs every time you need to use the restroom.
Attached Two-Car Garage
An attached garage is a must-have for your new home purchase, especially if you reside in cold and snowy climates. The convenience of walking directly from inside your home to your garage without exposing yourself to the elements when accessing your car is highly appreciated. When searching for a new home, aim for a minimum of a two-car attached garage. While a three-car garage may offer a more elegant and opulent appearance on your property, a two-car garage is perfectly adequate and satisfactory unless you require additional space for multiple cars.
Finished Basement
Purchasing a home with a finished basement is highly advisable. Basements typically offer substantial space, and finishing them after buying the home can be a costly endeavor. Hiring a professional, licensed contractor to finish a basement could easily exceed $30,000. Thus, it’s financially beneficial to find a home with a finished basement included in the purchase.
A finished basement opens up numerous possibilities, allowing you to create a man cave, an exercise area, a playroom with a ping pong table or pool table, additional bedrooms, bathrooms, a second kitchen, or even a wet bar and movie room. The versatility of a finished basement adds significant value and potential to your home.
These eight home amenities can not only provide peace of mind but will also enhance the overall enjoyment of your living space. Your “must-have” list should also take into account your budget and area you are looking, some of these things might be easier to find than others, and for you, some of them might not be needed! When you buy a home with us, we can help you assess what is reasonable and what is maybe something to add down the road to increase the sweat equity in your new home. We also believe that the more you get out and look at homes, your list might change too!
Looking to buy a home, we have a great team of agents that will work with you to create a plan for success! Take a look at what the home buying process looks like and contact us to start finding your perfect home in West Michigan.
