Most homebuyers have a “dream house” that includes everything they want, whether it’s a new kitchen, open floor plan, lots of bedrooms and bathrooms or all that and more.
So, how can you buy your dream house, whether you are in your 40s, 50s, or 60s?
The answer might be as simple as deciding to go for it, says Tom Page, vice president of iStar, a community developer in Richmond, Va., and general manager of Magnolia Green, a residential community in Moseley, Va.
“When people are buying in their 20s and 30s, there’s a dream house that they’d like, but they can’t afford it,” Page says. “In their 40s and 50s, they’ve got the money, and they say, ‘Let’s go buy that nice house.’“
Better, Newer, Smaller
That said, Priscilla Schumacher, director of sales and marketing at Edward R. James Cos, a homebuilder headquartered in Glenview, Ill., cautions against the idea of a “dream home” because it’s not always what people assume it is.
She says some buyers move out of a very costly or large residence into a dream home that better fits their needs in terms of design, finishes, and amenities. The new home might offer an updated kitchen, open living room, main-level primary bedroom, new flooring, carpets and counters and community services like landscape maintenance and snow removal.
“They’re looking for the home to be their way, (even though) they definitely still have the kids in mind for when they come to visit,” Schumacher says. “Instead of a garage filled with bikes and hockey equipment, it’s just enough room for two very nice vehicles.”
The trend is evident in the data. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built houses grew steadily in size from 1,660 square feet, on average, in 1973 to an average 2,521 square feet in 2007. The trend line then flattened out even after the U.S. economic recovery began. The average new home size of 2,687 square feet, recorded in 2015, could be a sweet spot for many of today’s buyers.
Saying “No” to Remodeling
The alternative to buying your dream home is trying to remodel your existing house to be what you really want. Page says that approach doesn’t appeal to many current homeowners.
“A lot of times, they have a 20-year-old home that just starts to feel old,” he says. “Rather than upgrading it, a lot of people take the easier route and buy something new.”
Remodeling industry studies have shown year after year that very few remodeling projects recoup their full value at the time of resale. Instead, most homeowners take a loss on their improvements.
Relocating Bedrooms
Brett Whitmore, co-owner of Whitmore Homes, a family-owned custom homebuilder in Grand Rapids, Mich., says his company has hit on a floor plan that works well for today’s “dream home” buyers.
Rather than put three or four bedrooms on a ranch-style home’s first floor, Whitmore puts what he describes as “a nice big primary suite” along with a “nice-sized living room and nice open kitchen” on the main floor. The basement is turned into a finished lower-level walk-out that’s equipped as separate living quarters.
“You can afford that nice big-sized kitchen, that fireplace in your primary bedroom, those nicer features you’ve always dreamed of because the footprint of your house is slightly smaller,” Whitmore says. “Having the open concept and removing the extra bedrooms on the main floor opens up more space.”
Whitmore advises buyers to think about their future, as well present, needs when they buy their dream home. That means asking for features like zero-step front entrances, wider doorways, plenty of lighting and larger showers.
“Don’t just think about the now when you’re healthy and fit,” Whitmore says. “Think about the future 25 years down the road when you’re not so healthy and fit.”
The Big Decision
Despite the allure of their dream home, some buyers hesitate because they’re not ready to make the transition or one spouse is ready, while the other is still emotionally attached to their current home, Schumacher says.
When they’re both ready, they often act quickly.
“Those who’ve talked it through and are on the same page don’t take long to make a decision once they know they want to make a move,” Schumacher says.
For some, watching their friends move prompts them to make a decision, sometimes to buy a home in the very same community.
“Once they get through the process,” Schumacher says, “they’re so excited and appreciative that they want to invite (their friends over). They come back and tell us, ‘We’re so glad we did this.’ ”
Marcie Geffner is an award-winning freelance reporter, writer and editor in Ventura, California. In the last decade, she has penned more than 1,000 published stories about residential and commercial real estate, banking, credit cards, computer security, health insurance and small business, among other subjects. Editors describe her as “detail-driven,” “conscientious,” “smart” and “incredibly versatile.” Her award-winning reporting has been lauded as “rock solid,” “spot-on relevant,” “informative,” “engaging,” “interesting” and “nuanced.” Her stories have been cited in seven published nonfiction books and two U.S. Congressional hearings.
Prior to her freelance career, Geffner was senior editor of California Real Estate magazine. Later, she became managing editor of Inman.com, an independent real estate news website. She also has prior employment experience in technical writing, corporate communications and employee communications. She received a bachelor’s degree in English with high honors from UCLA and master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She enjoys reading, home improvement projects and watching seagulls at the beach.
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