Whether you are planning to break ground on your dream home in the New Year or are already in the process of selecting finishes, keep these top design trends in mind.







​1. Painted and dark finishes trump oak for cabinets. If decorating or watching HGTV show marathons is a hobby for you, you’ve already seen how simply painting cabinets can make a huge impact. Dream home builders are also opting for painted cabinets given the wide range of color options. Dark finishes are the other top choice for cabinets in the New Year. You will see less natural oak and cherry cabinets, and more contemporary paints and stains, so keep this in mind when selecting cabinets.

Celebrating the holidays in your newly constructed home can be a dream come true! The most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest between gift-buying, decorating, baking and perhaps—trying to coordinate the arrival of new furniture in time for the holidays.

If you are hosting overnight guests this year, avoid adding undue stress by following these steps for fast houseguest preparation. You will ensure a pleasant and memorable stay for your family and/or friends, as well as your own family.

Many homeowners make common mistakes when deciding which floorplan best meets their needs. Ask yourself the following questions to decide which floorplan is ideal for your family’s current and future needs.floor plans for new homes

1. Does this floorplan address most of what we lack in our current home?  Have you found that your laundry room is too tight and a large mudroom would enable you to store all family members’ outdoor wear, sports equipment, etc. and help you get the kids ready to leave more efficiently? Are you tired of lugging laundry up and down the stairs and want a laundry room on the second level to save yourself time and muscle strain? Ascertaining whether or not the new floorplan solves most of the issues related to your current home’s floorplan and size will enable you to choose an ideal layout.

Ponder why you originally considered building a new home. Perhaps you lack ample storage space in your current home or have decided to start working from home and require a private, quiet home office. If you’ve had children since your last move, is your goal to obtain more space for entertainment such as a theatre, game or craft room?

​The latest home design trends were revealed by 125,000 builders, designers and media pros at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, NV in January. There was no need to attend the industry’s largest trade show because the home design and construction experts at Echelon Homes are here to fill you in!

Purchasing a new construction home is different than buying a house that was previously owned by another party. It is important to familiarize yourself with the overall construction process and learn a few trade secrets.
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Here are four tips to follow when building a new construction home.

Beware of estimated build-out time.
During the pre-sale process, the builder or sales agent will typically provide an estimated completion date of the construction. The key word is estimate—in that it is a completion date target. Like everything else in life, not everything goes as smoothly as originally planned because many factors impact the actual date of completion. You should feel comfortable including the completion date that the builder estimates in the contract, however be aware that construction may take up to a month longer than anticipated.
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Stay away from the construction site.

While it may be challenging to contain your excitement, it is best not to visit the construction site—at least not during the day when everyone is working. Construction sites are full of serious physical hazards due to the nature of the work. Staircases, floor boards, etc. may not be safe until the carpentry is complete. Electricians may be working on the wiring, so there are risks of being electrocuted. Things are constantly falling, so wear a hard hat if you dare visit the construction site.

Of course you want your home built correctly, however interrupting workers may cause delays. They really don’t have any control over changes you may request as they are instructed solely by the foreman. Simply talking to workers can also disrupt progression because they are there to work, not to chat. This common pitfall has been addressed in most purchase contracts which typically state that the buyer cannot visit the construction site unless an appointment has been made with the sales agent.

​A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology evaluated more than 4,000 Medicare beneficiaries and only 4.6% live in independent living facilities and 5.8% reside in assisted living facilities. In the past, many homes were built with ‘in-law suites’ to accommodate long visits by extended family.  Today, many adult children of aging parents are opting to care for their mother or father at home, so there is resurgence in the construction of a second master bedroom or ‘in-law suite.’

The beauty of defining your new construction home is that you can ensure there is enough space and an ideal floor plan to accommodate young adults moving back home who require privacy and older adults who may struggle with their mobility, vision, etc. Ascertaining needs ahead of time will help thwart issues that often arise from different sleep cycles; noise levels; social calendars and general activities so as to ultimately guarantee a happy transition for you and your loved ones.

Like the stock market, your new home search will have ups and downs. With the help of an experienced homebuilder, there are some key strategies you can incorporate to avoid the downs. Here’s a peek at the ups and downs common buyers experience on their new home search:

The Ups on the New Home Search Line Graph
A warranty that covers new homes should give buyers peace of mind. Your roof, HVAC system, and all construction materials will be in top condition. Many homeowners are hit with an unexpected hot water tank replacement or a plumbing issue at an inopportune time. You’ll have a good idea of the longevity of appliances and materials in your new home, get started on the right foot with preventative maintenance, and be able to budget and schedule tune ups.

Comfort and style will be waiting for you when you move into your new home. After all, you selected the floor plan, features, and upgrades to suite your lifestyle and your family. You’ll get started with fixtures you love rather than spending your weekend between the home improvement store and endless home projects.

Like a good entertainer, the best home builders will keep you following along as you build your dream home. Your interest and involvement ensures the best result for you, your lifestyle, and your family. Here are three tools of the trade to look for in your home builder:

 1. The best home builders are customer-focused.
Look for a builder who conducts a customer interview. As the buyer, you’ll have plenty of choices in your floor plan, your community, your site selection, and your optional upgrades. A discussion with an expert will not only answer your questions but also allow the builder to suggest what may work best for you. 

2. The best home builders are excellent communicators.
Before breaking ground, you need a clear understanding of the budget. The complete cost of finishes, materials, and upgrades is a must-have. After breaking ground, you’ll want updates on timing. You may be re-locating, selling a previous home, or unable to visit the site in person as often as you’d like. Instead of dealing with voicemail and busy signals, work with a builder who proactively communicates the status in the mode that works best for you. 

3. The best home builders are committed to quality.
One of the reasons you are buying new is to avoid the headache of unpredictable home repairs and premature replacement costs. These wishes are only granted with quality materials and quality construction. A builder who offers a competitive warranty and referral program, encourages customer testimonials, and maintains a high rating with the Better Business Bureau is the way to go. Quality is important in your new home investment for peace of mind, safety, and re-sale value. 

With over 15 years of experience building homes in southeast Michigan, Echelon Homes knows the tips and tricks that work to create dream homes. If you’re looking for the best home builders in the area, our previous customers will make you confident choosing Echelon. 

Article by: Jennifer Elkow

If you’re on the hunt for brand new homes for sale, prepare to make plenty of choices. First, you’ll select a home builder and mortgage lender. Second, you’ll choose a home model and layout. Third, you’ll pick from a list of upgrades within your budget to suit your design style. Finally, you’ll decide on a neighborhood for your new home site.

The community and site selection must fit your lifestyle. Here are some tips to choose the right neighborhood when looking at brand new homes for sale. 

What do you do for work?
Check out brand new homes for sale that don’t add stress to your daily commute. With a round trip to and from the office every day, select a neighborhood with easy access to highways. Ideally, your commute will last less than 30 minutes each way. Think about driving from your new home site to work during rush hour to realistically evaluate your new commute. 

With a round trip to and from the office every day, select a neighborhood with easy access to highways. Ideally, your commute will last less than 30 minutes each way. Think about driving from your new home site to work during rush hour to realistically evaluate your new commute.

The complete new home sales experience is as important to customer satisfaction as the final product. Consider a homebuilder who supports the complete sales story from beginning to end.  

The story begins by choosing a builder.
You use your mind’s eye to see the end result, and you look for a builder with an extensive portfolio featuring plenty of models with curbside appeal and a collection of attractive communities. It’s a great way to get a clear vision of what your dream home will look like. 

The start of the new home sales story focuses on money matters.
A reputable builder presents you with the complete price. A written contract should have the complete cost broken down into component costs. Perhaps you selected an optional sunroom or media room. You should be able to see the value of these features and expect no money surprises later.

If your builder has a relationship with bank lenders, expect no hassles and great rates. A bank lender familiar with the builder’s policies and pricing will make your financing options crystal clear. Lock in the best rate by using this pre-existing relationship.