Her Home Elise Edition by Design Basics Home Plans

BUILDING & REMODELING INSIGHTS

A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS, LLC

Beyond Three

Bedrooms Inspired Design

Her Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home of the Year

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Get Rid of The Tub? www.HerHome.com

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photo by David Sacks

Tailored specifically for you | Fast turnaround | Very reasonable prices Visit www.DesignBasics.com or call (800) 947-7526

contents

This issue features

photo courtesy Aquatic

FINALLY ABOUT ME

3 Your Home, Your Personality 4 Celebrating Elise TRENDING

5 Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Get Rid of That Tub?

WOMAN-CENTRIC PRODUCTS

9 Elise’s Most Wanted I WISH I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT...

12 More Space in the Kitchen... Damage Control INSPIRED DESIGN

13 Her Home’s Home of the Year HOME DESIGN

21 Beyond 3 Bedrooms 22 Cutting Laundry Time in Half 23 Elise Home Plans! AND IN THIS ISSUE...

photo courtesy Heritage Homes

17 What’s Your Cost Per Square Foot?

A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS LLC

CHIEF EDITOR/CFO

Janie Murnane

ASSOCIATE EDITOR/BRANDING

Michele Anderson-Weaver GRAPHIC ARTS

Yen Gutowski SENIOR DESIGNER

Carl Cuozzo PLAN ALTERATIONS

Tricia Baker

THIS IS NEW. One magazine in four personality-specific versions! This issue celebrates “Elise”

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Paul Foresman Janie Murnane

We’ve never done this before. Which makes it risky, but the reward is so gratifying! At a home show, the personality basis created so much buzz and interest that women waited in lines that would rival a blockbuster movie premier! Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but in three days more than 600 women lined up at that booth to discover their “new home personality.” KA-BOOM! For the past several years we have written about the four primary personalities our research identified are most common among women home buyers. Those four named personas live differently, and show different preferences in home design, products for the home and decorating style. We call it “Finally About Me” and if you’re not yet familiar with the concept, log on to HerHome.com, take three minutes to take the quiz and discover which persona you’re closest to! Your home should be a reflection of who you are and how you live in a home – a “cookie-cutter” option rarely works. It’s a big challenge to address all four personalities in a single magazine. “Elises” are readers; “Margos” prefer bulleted text; “Claires” relate well to informational graphics and “Maggies” like lots of pictures. Of course, sometimes a picture is worth 1000 words…and there’s times when pictures don’t do an idea justice. So what you have in front of you is one of the four versions of this Her Home Magazine. The topics and content are similar among all four versions, but the way the information is presented – text, graphics and photos – differs with each of the personalities! We hope you enjoy this unique magazine, with its discussions about tubless bathrooms, must-have products and cutting laundry time in half. Then there’s another first, Her Home’s Home of the Year. As the home’s builder Tyrone Leslie commented, “Part of what made this home so successful is that it incorporates so many ideas that are attainable for the average buyer.” Finally, if you’ve been comparing contractors on a cost-per-square foot basis, you’ll want to check out “What’s Your Cost Per Square Foot?” beginning on page 17. I’m a “Claire” and that persona describes me to a “T”. What about you? Have you taken the quiz? Do you “see yourself” in the results? I would love to hear back from you and hear what you discovered when you identified the persona you’re closest to!

www.HerHome.com www.HerHome.com

DESIGN BASICS PUBLISHING

CH I E F E X ECU T I V E OF F I CE R

Myles Sherman CH I E F OP E RAT I NG OF F I CE R

Patrick Carmichael PRESIDENT

Kathryn Dick A S SOC I AT E P U B L I S H E R

Paul Foresman VP RECORDS MANAGEMENT/DATA INTEGRITY

Greg Dodge

cover photo by Jupiterimages

PUBLISHED BY: Design Basics LLC 11112 John Galt Blvd., Omaha, NE 68137 www.DesignBasics.com | Info@DesignBasics.com phone: (800) 947-7526

CHIEF EDITOR

editor@HerHome.com

Finally

about Me!

fireplace photos courtsey of Lennox Hearth Products

Which word would you most likely use to describe your ideal home: “haven,” “showcase,” “unique,” or “carefree”? You see, the words we use reveal a lot about how we see ourselves and are a reflection of our personalities. In the same way, our personalities are reflected in our homes. After all, there are few places on Earth where you have as much freedom to be yourself than in your home! The neighborhood you choose…the home design you fall in love with…products and finishes you select for your home…even personal items you love to display...all of these reflect your personality. Many aspects of our lives are “learned”, but personality is a gift we were born with. And personality influences only grow stronger with age. Even though Her Home Magazine is published from “her” perspective, all women don’t want to be thought of (or treated) the same. That truth inspired the womancentric team at Design Basics to go deeper with their research into women’s preferences in the home, its design and products used, to look for personality-based influences. The research suggested four primary personas, and they were given names: Margo, Elise, Claire and Maggie. A fun, interactive quiz (“Finally About Me!”) was developed to help women identify which of the four personas were closest to her personality. While no one is “purely” or “exclusively” one of the personas (to varying degrees, everyone is a blend of the different personas), quiz results identify the primary personality. It’s simply uncanny how knowing your personality helps you understand your preferences in home design and product choices. The quiz, which takes about 3 minutes, will likely save you hours by helping focus on your priorities and avoid wasting your time on things you’re probably not interested in. For more regarding the quiz and all four personalities, visit HerHome.com. These four fireplaces are representative of the four Finally About Me personalities. Can you match the fireplace style with the corresponding personna? (Answers on page 21)

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photo courtsey of Armstrong Cabinets

Celebrating Elise • Traditional • Work/Life balance • Function over form • Practical • Family-oriented

Elise is “traditional” in nearly every sense of the word—traditional in her expectations, her values, her outlook on life, her parenting style. Traditional carries over into her home, in its design, product choices and materials. Stainless steel and concrete countertops are not often found in Elise kitchens.

If you have Elises as friends, you are blessed. Elise is a nurturer, an encourager and develops deep, meaningful, life-giving relationships. Elise receives joy from being with family and friends. You’re always welcome in Elise’s home, and her entertaining areas indoors and out are conducive to relaxed conversation. In her work life, Elise likes structure and having established procedures and is not a fan of “change.” She takes pride in her work, getting it done on time and with minimal supervision. Elise is a good manager of projects 4

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and people, and takes direction well. At the end of the work day, Elise happily leaves work behind because there are more important things in life than work. Elise favors dependable, practical and low maintenance products for the home. Living the adage “a place for everything, and everything in its place,” she prides herself on a neat, tidy, orderly home. Elise appreciates pretty things, but if the choice is between aesthetics and brand-name reliability, Elise will usually opt for the latter.

Some Elises would sooner take their pets to the vet than themselves to the doctor. Elise tends to put others’ needs, wants and desires ahead of her own, and takes pleasure in others’ happiness and seeing them succeed. In planning her home, Elise will prioritize accommodating everyone in her household. She’ll also likely have heirlooms and family treasures on display in her home.

Rub A Dub-Dub,

Get Rid of That Tub?

Such was a response from New York Sales Professional Jim Cotungo in a recent Linked inÂŽ discussion on whether or not to build master bathrooms with a tub plus separate shower or forgo the tub in favor of oversized spa-type showers. Please understand, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re discussing homes with two or more bathrooms and there is always a tub in another bathroom.

www.HerHome.com

Step back in time to the 80’s and 90’s, when many builders started including big whirlpool tubs in master baths. Then in the new millennium, larger and larger showers gained popularity. But many factors, including the recent housing recession, seem to have motivated people to rethink priorities in the master bathroom, particularly in light of the fact that for the first time in our lifetimes, homes being built now are generally smaller than those of just three to five years ago. In numerous ways, today’s buyers are showing more utilitarian housing preferences. R.I.P. formal living rooms (you remember… the room you were never allowed to go in!) For many buyers, formal dining rooms are a waste of space. Today’s homebuyers don’t want to pay for something they’re not going to use! In preparing this article, so many, many women spoke of the master suite bathtub as something they don’t need, use or even want. Of course, our increasingly busy lives affect 6

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Often times the main focal point, bathroom design may hinge on bathtub selection. photo courtesy of Kohler Co. above:

With built-in storage, a handy seat, and dual showerheads, this shower is sure to please...and offers easy access for people with more limited mobility. photo courtesy of Kohler Co. right:

With tub and separate shower, you have bathing options. Glass shower panels are elegant, but require more cleaning in hard water areas. photo courtesy of Aquatic

this, too. Kerri Durkee, who specializes in home staging and redesign, summed it up well, “Personally, as a working mom, I don’t have the time to soak in a tub--and I have a Jacuzzi tub in my master bath that I wish were not there.” Gender differences showed up in a big way. Very few men, but about 1/3 of the women we spoke with, desired a tub in the master bathroom IF the bathroom also had a large shower. Builders and new home sales professionals we talked with concur: when buyers have interest in master bath tubs, it’s mostly women looking for a tub to relax in— and not just the tub in the kids’ bath due to size and privacy issues. Men, in general, had little interest in a bathtub for themselves, though some wanted one for their wives. Perhaps men’s lack of interest in bathtubs, as Diana Schrage, Senior Interior Designer at Kohler suggests, is because of size, “The standard fivefoot tub simply isn’t large enough for many

men to be comfortable in.” Schrage goes on to advocate men might actually enjoy bathing in six-foot or oversized tubs. In fact, tub size was frequently brought up. Trish Holder, Publisher of Greenspiration Home (www.greenspirationhome.com), said “I’m starting to enjoy small baths in hotels a lot more. They fill up quicker and stay warm longer! And I don’t feel so guilty about all the water I am wasting at the expense of my children and others’ children as well. Shame on me for that big tub in my master bath. I really regret it.” While it might take 40-50 gallons of water to fill a standard 5-foot tub, larger tubs use as much as 80 to over 100 gallons. With a 50/50 mix of hot water, there might not be any hot water left after filling the tub! Note: if your dream bath includes a large soaking or whirlpool tub, talk with the builder or plumber about larger capacity water lines to the tub (so it fills faster) and a larger capacity water heater (or separate water heater for the tub—perhaps the “on-demand” type.) Big, jetted tubs were generally perceived as outdated and noisy. Scott Smith, General Manager at Rooftight Homes in Fall River, Nova Scotia, pointed out “When women I talk with realize jetted tubs are simply recirculating the same water with their hair and dead skin cells, they quickly lose interest in a whirlpool tub.” Some ladies were even more direct, saying the thought of soaking in a tub of dirty water and soap scum was just offensive. One individual went as far as saying she felt she would need to shower off after taking a bath!

I could not ever imagine not having a tub! I look forward to my bath every day! Yes every day! What can I say, it’s part of my therapy.

Her Home Publisher Janie Murnane added a different perspective regarding tub hygiene. “Women can develop infections due to soaking in bubble bath or other products that can cause irritation.” Janie recently did a bathroom remodel in her own home with a large spa shower—and no tub. Age and accessibility considerations strongly influenced master bath tub desirability. Younger buyers were split on the issue of a tub. Many were willing to explore tubless bathroom options while others simply wouldn’t purchase a home that didn’t have a tub in the owner’s bathroom. Several builders, Realtors and older home owners identified problems associated with getting in and out of a bathtub. Larger showers with no “curb” (aka “roll-in showers”) were viewed most positively, particularly showers with a seat, overhead shower head and a handheld shower. The threat of falling, especially among seniors with physical limitations, can make stepping into a tub dangerous. Still, Realtors suggested many older generation buyers want and expect a tub in the master bath. Numerous active seniors agreed, saying they wouldn’t give up their long, hot soaks, if just for their therapeutic value. Ginny Knauff, Tile Design Consultant with www.HerHome.com

below top:

Classic stand-alone soaking tubs are back. photo courtesy of Aquatic below bottom:

Natural light, storage, and extra room are amenities that make this shower special. photo courtesy of DeltaFaucet.com

QDI Stone was emphatic, “I could not ever imagine not having a tub! I look forward to my bath every day! Yes every day! What can I say, it’s part of my therapy. I am an active adult, with terrible arthritis. I have four grown children and will soon be a grand mom. Remember the “Calgon, take me away” ads? There’s nothing better than soaking in a nice bubble bath with candles and a glass of wine. What is more comfortable to aching joints, lower back pain, arthritis, chronic pain, etc. than a nice warm bubble bath, taking all of the weight you have carried around all day long, away?” Aesthetic appeals of a beautiful bathtub are unmatched. As you step into the bathroom, designers strive to create an inspiring focal point—and it’s often the bathtub. The tub itself may be a work of art. The tub surround— perhaps ceramic tile or natural stone—is another visual treat. Ditto for the faucet and lighting fixture. Above the tub is oftentimes the natural place for a sizable window, bathing the entire room in daylight. The bathtub is really a multi-sensory experience! Then there’s the soothing feeling of the water and the scent of soaps and perhaps fragrant candles. In your dream bathroom, if there’s a tub, how does it make you feel?

Aesthetic appeals of a beautiful bathtub are unmatched.

Of course, the trend towards oversized showers ushered in a new level of luxury appointments of their own, from fanciful lighting to body sprays and special showerheads pre-set with your preferred temperature and spray patterns from relaxing to invigorating. Again, talk with your builder and plumber to ensure you have adequate water flow and plenty of water heating capacity. And make sure you have the option of running only one showerhead if that’s all you want. “We’re tired of dusting the tub!” and “We’ve only used the tub 3 times in 5 years” were oft-mentioned regrets over having to clean the bathtub even if it isn’t used. While pampering, the larger jetted and deep soaking tubs are even more difficult to clean. Cleaning is also at the forefront of the surging popularity of doorless walk-in showers—there’s no door to clean! Built-in seats in showers are highly soughtafter amenities (a must-have for shaving!) In addition to a larger shower, eliminating the tub may provide a more spacious bathroom and allow for other amenities such as a private toilet area, added linen storage, coffee bar or separate vanities. Then there’s the cost. Deleting a fancy tub may save thousands of dollars (including installation costs) that can be directed elsewhere in the home.

What about resale? Again, no consensus. Some Realtors we spoke to felt the lack of a tub in the master bathroom would hurt resale www.HerHome.com

potential. Builders we talked with confirmed the real estate agent’s influence, citing example after example of buyers who may not have wanted a tub in the master bath, but the Realtor convinced these buyers that they needed a tub if just for resale. A few of the builders feared buyers would rule out the home from further consideration due to no tub in the owner’s bath. Younger buyers, who saw themselves living in the home for just a few years and then moving into a different home, were more concerned about resale. They viewed the master bath tub as an investment. In effect, they weren’t building the home for themselves, but for the next buyer of that home! Custom home buyers and older individuals were less concerned about resale. “If I like it, someone else will, too,” and “If it’s popular in new homes, it will be popular in resale homes, too,” represented feedback we received. Custom home designers reported their consumer clients placed little importance on resale considerations, suggesting at higher price points, future buyers would just remodel the bathroom if it was really important. The resale pendulum may have swung towards the tubless master bath. Several real estate agents told us buyers were shying away from homes that didn’t have an oversize shower, regardless of the presence of a tub. Remodelers and home stagers agreed, if the seller’s budget allowed, taking the tub out of the master bath and installing a big shower was a sure way to get the home sold. Apparently today, the big shower has strong perceived resale value and the big tub does not. Ultimately, the best decision on including a tub in your owner’s suite comes down to your preferences and your beliefs. Do you dream of a master bath tub because you enjoy soaking in it or even just for aesthetics? (We put a lot of amenities in our homes primarily for aesthetics, such as fireplaces!) If you desire a tub, what size bathtub is ideal? Are age or accessibility issues associated with getting in and out of the tub a factor? What about space considerations--can you have the bathtub and the larger shower too? Are you making the decision based on what you want, or are you designing for the next owner of that home? Thanks to everyone who joined our exploration into tubless owner’s bathrooms! Today’s trend is towards large showers, but tub baths have stood the test of time. We offer one last piece of advice—be true to yourself. You know yourself best. Avoid future remorse. If you’ll regret not having a tub in the owner’s bath, then insist upon a tub. And if you’ll regret devoting that extra space and expense to a tub, forgo the tub. After all, it’s your money!

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www.HerHome.com

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Excellent Value

It’s important to Elise that her home exudes a sense of “welcome!” which is one of the reasons the front entry door is so important to her. After selecting a door that compliments her home’s style, “her attention turns toward the functional and performance issues,” according to Frank Lin, Therma-Tru Doors’ Manager of Market Insights. Lin went on to say “nothing beats fiberglass doors for performance and value. Our fiberglass doors are insulated, offering better energy performance than solid wood, are backed by a limited lifetime warranty and offer the highest protection against forced break-in.”

Helping buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes.

I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT... Creating More Space in the Kitchen When we moved into our new home, we thought we knew we had “made it” because we now had a dishwasher! Our previous home, smaller and older, had a very modest kitchen and no room for such a luxury. If space in your kitchen is at a premium, consider one of the “under sink” dishwashers. GE offers dishwashers designed to be installed under the sink, with a special tub to allow for sink plumbing. Some models can also be installed beneath a cooktop! Learn more at www.geappliances.com

Damage Control Whether you are tired of damage to doors, trim, or walls, you can do better than traditional door stops. Perfect Products’ DoorSaver II replaces one of your door’s hinge pins and controls how far the door swings open. An added benefit—you’ll never again run the vacuum cleaner (or your toe!) into those low, wall-mounted door stops! Learn more at www.doorsaver.com

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At the end of the day...your relaxing retreat awaits!

An Idea Whose Time Has Come

written by Paul Foresman | photos courtesy of Heritage Homes

“Outstanding!” That’s how builder Tyrone Leslie of Heritage Homes in Fargo, North Dakota, described public reaction to the company’s womancentric “Idea Home” which debuted in their local Parade of Homes. According to Leslie, “This ‘Georgetown’ was our most remarkable Parade Home in years, and it received a tremendous amount of attention.”

Leslie continued, “Part of what made the home so successful is that it incorporates so many thoughtful ideas that are attainable for the average buyer. We focused on livability throughout the home, and opened people’s eyes to truly affordable amenities they had never seen or even imagined. I knew we had a winner when I started hearing comments like ‘Oh, you guys have thought of everything!’”

www.HerHome.com

Situating the fireplace in the corner allows for a wall of windows out the back of the family room, creating dreamy, uninterrupted views from the front entry.

Storing and organization is front and center in Heritage Homes’ Georgetown model. Buyers looking for “a place for everything” won’t be disappointed in this home. To begin with, there’s a coat closet at the front entry and a generous walkin closet in the rear foyer from the garage—ideal for bulk item storage (i.e., paper goods) and the vacuum cleaner, as well as coats. That rear foyer also presents a drop zone storage and recharging center just inside the door from the garage. Designed to liberate the kitchen from clutter, Heritage Homes embellished the drop zone idea by adding mail slots and in the base cabinet—a pull-out wastebasket accompanied by a paper shredder to dispose of unwanted junk mail! The kitchen unveils a subtle, but overwhelmingly embraced storage amenity of its own—soft touch drawers in the toe-kick area under the base cabinets! Designed for pie plates, cutting boards, cookie sheets and similar horizontal items, these innovative drawers, which pop out with a gentle nudge from your toe, are a testimony to eliminating wasted space in the home. above:

The Idea Home’s open floorplan is wonderful for socializing. above:

“Wasted space” in most homes, drawers in the toe-kick area of base cabinets are perfect for horizontal items!

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Then there’s the upstairs storage—oh my! There’s two big linen closets and each of the three secondary bedrooms present their own walk-in closets. What would life be like with closets big enough to swallow not only the clothes but games and other assorted little treasures? And what about the walk-in closets in the owner’s suite? That’s right—closets. Plural. According to Leslie, “The closets were a big deal with visitors to our Parade home. We’ve never designed a home with too much closet space, but this one might come close!”

As a nation, stress is one of the most pervasive issues we face. Therefore, Heritage Homes focused on de-stressing aspects in their Idea Home. Like entering into a rear foyer transition space when coming into the home from the garage—not walking into a laundry room with piles of ‘aromatic’ laundry to be washed! Then it’s a few quick steps and you’re in the kitchen, keeping distances carrying heavy grocery sacks to a minimum. Recognizing the fact that most laundry comes from, and is returned to the bedrooms, the Georgetown’s upstairs laundry room eliminates the hassles of lugging laundry baskets up and down stairs. Again, Heritage Homes took the concept to the next level by insulating the laundry room walls, creating a more serene environment for all! That same priority—peace and quiet—is the reason behind certain product selections in the Idea Home, such as the choice of a belt-drive garage door opener, con-

siderably more quiet and vibration-free than typical chain-drive openers. A window seat was added to bedroom 4, what could be more relaxing than curling up with a good book warmed by the sunlight? Well, it just might be waking up to the aroma of coffee brewing in the master suite coffee bar, situated just outside the owner’s bathroom! In that bathroom, a half-wall helps create “my space” at each of the sinks…there’s a large shower…and a private water closet complete with Heritage Homes’ “toilet buddy”—in-wall storage for extra toilet paper, hygiene products and magazines. Even the shared hall bathroom is a stress-reducing design, with two sinks separated from the toilet and tub area, decreasing scheduling conflicts and helping get everyone out the door on time. Love to entertain? Then you’ll appreciate the free-flowing layout of the kitchen, dining and family rooms. The staggered height cabi-

netry and vertically-oriented tile backsplash create a stunning visual backdrop! At the heart of the socializing space is the island with its angled eating bar and sink conveniently located for all. And the pies de resistance—a baking center was added at one end for memorable afternoons with the kids or grandkids. The angled island plays visually with the corner fireplace opposite it. Situating the fireplace in the corner allows for a wall of windows out the back of the family room, creating dreamy, uninterrupted views from the front entry. Because people are naturally drawn to daylight and sunny spaces, the 14-foot eating area showcases windows flanking the glass patio doors. Homeowners would also appreciate the secluded location of the powder bath—in that it does not share a wall with entertaining areas providing desirable privacy. Flexible areas in the home received rave reviews from Parade-goers, too. One of the most www.HerHome.com

popular was the optional pet center in the rear foyer, complete with doggie shower which was raised to avoid having to constantly bend over while washing the dog! Alongside the pet shower is built-in cabinetry including a rollout pet food storage bin and even a discrete pop-out drawer in the toe-kick that offers the food and water dish when needed and otherwise makes them go away. Gardeners and other hobbyists touring the home talked about the desirability of the pet shower for their favorite pursuits, too. To the front of the Gerogetown, a flex space presents multiple uses such as a den, music room or even a quaint parlor. Walls as well as twin doors leading into the space can be added or deleted to suit the homebuyers’ desire for openness or privacy. Another flex favorite was the travel center in the home’s larger master suite closet, an amenity inspired by a desire for a convenient place to store the suitcase when not being used and then pack the suitcase without having to load it on the bed! Leslie commented, “The travel center really hit home with Parade visitors! It eliminates the annoyance of constantly running into the luggage when getting ready for your trip, which is also a great stress reliever.” Technology was another hot button with people touring the Idea Home. Right now, do you have an AC adaptor for recharging your cell phone or tablet plugged in, but it’s not in use? At the drop zone, Heritage Homes provided a recharging center with combination AC and USB wall outlets. The USB charging ports eliminate the need for bulky AC adaptors and each USB port can charge up to four devices simultaneously. Even better, when not in use, leaving a charging cord plugged into a USB port does not consume any electric-

ity. AC adaptors left plugged in drain a small amount of electricity (up to about $20 per year) when not in use. Then there’s Heritage’s home automation package, combining video cameras, security plus heating and cooling all from a smart phone or tablet. Cameras in a nursery or at the front door provide peace of mind. Remote control of lighting and security systems can suggest people are in the home and help take the worry out of traveling. Then there’s industry estimates suggesting as many as 90% of programmable thermostats are not being used or are not programmed correctly. So adjusting your home thermostat while you’re at work can pay big dividends in terms of utility bills. Over and over in touring the Idea Home it was “What a great idea!” At $349,000, the 2,612 square foot (finished space) Georgetown was not the biggest home in the Parade, nor was it anywhere near the most expensive Parade home. Yet this was the home everyone was talking about, including comments such as “Why don’t all builders build homes like this?” According to Leslie, the answer’s rather simple. “We embraced a woman-centric approach in our home building company and teamed up with Design Basics. For the last several years we’ve been keenly involved in listening to what our buyers want. The feedback we’ve received, mostly from women, inspired us to design our homes differently and gave us a new appreciation for products included in our homes as well as options we suggest. We’ve also revamped how we work with our clients to take the entire process from stressful to delightful. Our customer satisfaction survey scores have soared!”

Remarkable previous page left: Wake up and smell the…A coffee bar is ideally located within the master suite, but thoughtfully positioned between the bedroom and bathroom. previous page top:

The Baking Center—for the gourmet cook and grandkids’ creations!

previous page bottom: The open floor plan was well-received. right:

43013-54Y: Heritage Homes Georgetown is based on Design Basics “Moss Bluff” plan, tailored to their specific market preferences. plan

www.HerHome.com

Pets are part of your family, too, and the Idea Home’s Pet Center in the rear foyer was one of the most popular ideas of all!

WHAT’S YOUR COST per square foot

For most home builders, asking them, “What’s your cost is a little like asking a mechanic what it’s going to cost to fix the engine in your car before he’s had a chance to look it over. Without knowing more, a price is just a shot in the dark. Do you have a bad spark plug wire or does the entire motor need to be rebuilt?

per square foot?”

[WHY DO BUYERS ASK BUILDERS ABOUT THE COST PER SQUARE FOOT?] Everybody uses it.

When a real estate agent lists a house for sale…when a mortgage loan officer submits a loan application for underwriting…when an appraiser values your home…they all report the home’s square footage and a price for the home. The entire existing home market uses this square footage price as a barometer for establishing home values and listing prices. But be wary of real estate agents who seem to homogenize new and resale homes by merely comparing all listings by their cost per square foot. They’re either being lazy or they don’t understand the differences. Is a used Honda Accord worth as much as a brand new Accord? Used homes don’t come with a full warranty and they were not built to today’s construction or energy codes…

It’s easy.

Easy to calculate—simply divide the price by the square footage and you’ve got a concrete number. It’s easy to understand (and who isn’t looking to simplify a purchase as important as your home?) It’s easy to use—as one way to compare homes. And it’s easily accessible—the internet and particularly major real estate websites publish this information.

Can you afford what you want?

Looking at design, amenities and products shown in new homes through the lens of cost per square foot can help you get a feel for whether what you want is within your budget.

You want to get a fair deal.

Understanding why homes cost what they do is difficult. There are so many variables! Cost per square foot seems like a fair way to ensure you’re not getting ripped off, but can be a rip-off tool itself when used in a misleading way by an unscrupulous builder.

You’re a bargain shopper

and are looking for the lowest cost per square foot. This lowest price approach can make sense for standardized, mass-produced products, like big-screen TV or even a new convertible. Still, you’re not buying that car on the basis of its “cost per pound,” which is akin to purchasing a new home on its cost per square foot. Chevrolet Corvette $17.02/lb Mazda Miata $9.59/lb www.HerHome.com

THINGS

you need to know before comparing new homes by their cost per square foot plan 9175

first floor second floor

1387 sq. ft. 471 sq. ft.

total finished

1858 sq. ft.

garage porches attic

Cost/sq. ft. @ $300,000 $161.46

509 sq. ft. 185 sq. ft. 243 sq. ft.

total under roof 2795 sq. ft.

$107.33

basement adds 1387 sq. ft. total sq. ft.

Methods used to calculate square footage differ.

Some builders measure a home’s size from the outside of the wall framing. Other builders measure to the outside of the siding material, so an all-brick home may be hundreds of square feet bigger than the exact same home with lap siding! Was the second-story area of a 2-story high entry foyer included? It’s heated space and can be a beautiful area in your home, but it isn’t “walkable” square footage. How about the staircase and its openings—was it counted once or twice? Such differences in calculating total square footage can have a dramatic impact on the home’s reported square footage and thus its cost per square foot!

What’s included in the price? Builders usually base their cost per square foot number on their “standard” materials. Builder A includes a hardwood flooring, Builder B figures carpet. Builder C includes full sod and a generous landscaping allowance, Builder D’s price only includes grass seed in the front and side yards. Was a concrete driveway included? Don’t laugh! Such factors don’t affect the size of your home but can raise or lower the cost per square foot.

4182 sq. ft.

$ 71.73

What square footage was included? Was the basement included? All of it or just the portion of the basement that’s finished living space? How about attic spaces? What if the attic has a sloping ceiling and you can only stand up in a small portion of that attic? Finishing space in a basement or attic is typically much less expensive than finished footage on the main floor of a home. The foundation, walls and roof are already there. So, if the price per square foot of the home was calculated based on “finished” square footage, that figure is typically lower for homes with finished basements and/or attic space. Do you include a home’s 3-season room, porches, deck or patio? What if those outdoor spaces are covered by the roof? If the garage is not included in the home’s reported square footage, then a bigger garage won’t affect the price per square foot because those square feet don’t count, right? So, why not build a 4-car garage? Obviously garages and decks aren’t free. Cost per square foot comparison is meaningless if the square footage of these areas is counted differently by various builders.

Land costs. Did the cost per square foot quoted include the home site? A $25,000 lot represents $12.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home. But if building that same home on a $60,000 lot, the home site equates to $30 per square foot, $17.50 per square foot higher! Even the neighborhood can impact your cost per square foot. If subdivision covenants require a full masonry (brick, stone or stucco) front elevation, the home will cost more than if it were built with vinyl siding on the front. And community amenities such as walking trails, pocket parks, clubhouses, pools, etc., all have a cost which is passed along to each homebuyer in the form of higher prices for the building lot. 18

www.HerHome.com

The included materials/products used differs by builder. Your price includes granite countertops! But granite

ranges from about $40 per square foot to over $100 per square foot based on color and thickness. Are the included hardwood floors 3/4” or the cheaper 3/8” thickness? Five-inch wide wood flooring is considerably more expensive than the same brand/wood species/finish threeinch wide flooring. Obviously, seeing on a builder’s specifications sheet that granite countertops and hardwood floors are included is insufficient for comparing different builders’ cost per square foot. Quality name-brand windows could easily add $10,000 or more compared to offbrand windows for your home. And even within name brands, product prices vary widely. Quiet dishwashers— something you’ll truly appreciate—are a lot more money than their entry-level counterparts.

Your choices have a huge impact on your cost per square foot. Would you believe just your kitchen selections alone could increase your home’s overall cost by $10-20 per square foot or more? It’s true! Because of expensive cabinetry, countertops, faucets, tile floors, appliances and plumbing fixtures, etc., bathrooms and kitchens might be well over $500 per square foot, compared with perhaps $50 per square foot in a bedroom or family room. Most builders’ pricing includes “allowances” for common selections such as flooring and lighting fixtures—but allowances vary by builder. Also increasing cost without increasing square footage are: fireplaces, lighting, crown molding and specialty trim, window treatments, and even paint—many builders charge $100 or more each time you change paint colors. Then there’s “hidden” products such as high performance insulation behind the walls and in the attic that might add $3-$5 per square foot to the price of a home.

Quality workmanship isn’t cheap. Different electricians, plumbers and heating contractors’ prices vary, too. Trim carpenters, drywallers, flooring installers and painters’ work are all evident the day you move in. Does their work reflect the pride you’ll have in your new home? The value of caring craftsmen shows up when you have annoying air leaks around your new windows, doors that close by themselves or poor water pressure in your master bathroom. In order to get a lower cost, a builder can opt to hire the low-bid plumber or drywaller on your home. Or, will you benefit from the builders that enjoy longstanding relationships with quality subcontractors, even though it may cost more? Know also that labor rates vary significantly by regions. Your brother may have gotten a new home built in Texas for $90 a square foot, but in the northeast, it’s going to cost more to build an identical home.

Cost is driven by design. Though design has a strong bearing on a home’s cost, design, functionality and a home’s livability don’t necessarily correlate to square footage. In fact, good design can often save you money when, for instance, you can eliminate long hallways and actually reduce the home’s size. Outside, sophisticated rooflines and grand entryways cost more but don’t add to a home’s square footage, so such homes cost more per square foot. Inside, there’s almost too many variables to count that impact a home’s cost but don’t affect square footage. Take ceilings for an example. Many new homes feature 9-foot high or taller ceilings, tiered or vaulted ceilings and artful ceiling details. Such ceiling amenities increase the cost per square foot compared to homes with standard, 8-foot high flat ceilings. Every corner in a home’s foundation costs more, so simple rectangular foundations reduce a home’s square footage cost compared to homes with numerous foundation jogs. Carpet typically comes in 12’-wide rolls, so designing a room 12’-8” wide is more expensive due to the added labor costs for cutting and seaming the carpet and increased material waste. Then there’s the cost of the home plans. Pre-drawn plans might cost $1,000, about $.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home. Custom-drawn plans typically range from $2-$10 or more per square foot.

The type of home you build impacts cost. A one-story home with 2,000 square foot of finished living space has foundation under the entire 2,000 square feet and a roof covering the 2,000 square feet. A 2,000 square foot two-story home with 1,000 square feet on the main floor and 1,000 square feet upstairs will have a smaller, less expensive foundation and a smaller, less expensive roof. And, the wider/deeper one-story home will often require a larger, more expensive building lot. So even though finished square footage of the two homes is identical, two-story homes usually cost less per square foot.

The total size of the home. Some costs are constant regardless of the size of home—permits, environmental and other government fees, inspections and utility hook-ups are unaffected by a home’s size. A smaller home will still have a kitchen sink, dishwasher, range, refrigerator, and microwave—just like a larger house. Generally, smaller homes have higher costs per square foot (assuming finish levels are comparable.) www.HerHome.com

[Moving Forward...] Check out your builder.

We hear horror stories of builders who will quote a price based purely on square feet and then pound the buyer with extras after the job is started. Reputable builders will have a long list of references from happy homeowners. Contact those references! Similarly, there is great value in a builder’s longevity. You don’t last in homebuilding without treating customers right. A cheaper cost per square foot will be long forgotten when issues with the home arise after you’ve moved in and your builder ignores your pleas to fix them—or simply moves out of town! What’s the cost per square foot of your new home warranty?

Every home builder can give you a detailed and accurate cost per square foot.

A “production” builder who builds the same portfolio of plans over and over again, purchases large tracts of land and develops entire neighborhoods, and controls the amount of personalization (such as minimal, if any, plan changes and limited finish selections) can most quickly quote you a price per square foot. There are fixed standards with few variables. Their economies of scale typically enable them to offer the lowest cost per square foot. For example, they can amortize design costs over numerous homes built from a single home design. Semi-custom builders offer a wider variety of home designs, building sites and finishes for your home. Such builders will typically modify their home plans to suit your needs, too. They may initially provide a wide price range, such as “$100 to $200 per square foot depending on what you want” reflecting many of the variables addressed. Such a wide range is not very satisfying, but know as you make decisions, the ultimate price per square foot comes clearer into focus. A custom home builder may never build the same home twice. She doesn’t have historical data for that specific home to look back on as a starting point. Knowing that custom home buyers often have specific products and amenities in mind, providing a cost per square foot before the plans and details are firmed up can lead to disastrous results.

Do you REALLY want the cheapest?

Even if you can get fairly comparable cost per square foot info from multiple builders—meaning they’re all bidding using the same set of plans, specifications, home site cost factors, product amenities, finishes, etc.—are you going to automatically take the lowest price per square foot? How do you suppose the builder with the lowest price per square foot was able to do it? And, understand you want your builder to make a profit on building your home. If she doesn’t, she won’t be in business to take care of any warranty issues with your home and you’ll be stuck regretting taking the deal that was “too good to pass up.” When it comes to the cost per square foot for your new home, like with most of life’s major purchases, you get what you pay for. Home building is a craft and an honorable profession to which some exceptional people have devoted their lives. But as with any profession, there are a few bad apples that tarnish the industry. So...if you choose to, use preliminary cost per square foot numbers to help you know if you’re “in the ballpark” budget-wise. Don’t assume they’ll be the basis of your purchase agreement. And exercise great caution when using cost per square foot in comparing builders and their homes. Even if you believe you’ve got an “apples for apples” comparison, the low cost per square foot builder might just be one of those bad apples!

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d n yo

e 3 Bedrooms B

Whether for new homes or remodeling, changing homeowner demographics are calling into question the traditional assumption of a 3-bedroom home. Here we look at an emerging market preference – dual owner’s suites – which work within the corresponding original 3-bedroom design.

DUAL OWNER’S SUITES It might amaze you to find out just how many committed, happy couples choose not to share the same bedroom. It could be conflicting schedules, medical conditions or simply snoring, but the need for getting a good night’s sleep is paramount to a good life.

Design Basics’ “Hester” plan shows two secondary bedrooms well-separated from the master bedroom, both served by a hall bathroom. Without changing the foundation or rooflines, it’s possible to build this home with a second master bedroom, second master bath and walk-in closet, plus a powder bath, shown as the “Sadie” plan. (Yes, the dual owner’s-suite version does utilize storage space from the original design’s garage, but if doing this conversion as a remodel, the contractor will build that closet floor accordingly.)

54 the Hester | plan 29344-54Y 1720 total sq. ft.

41 54

39 the Sadie | plan 29353-54Y 1774 total sq. ft.

41 (Fireplace answers left to right: Margo, Maggie, Claire, Elise)

To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

Laundry Time in Half the Silver Creek | plan 42028-54Y

1863 main level sq. ft. | 613 upper level sq. ft. | 2476 total sq. ft.

Tired of waiting around for the dryer to get finished so you can get the next load in? Want to free up more of your time for more important things than the laundry? Occasionally run into a laundry “emergency” wherein the washer’s already in use but your daughter needs her work clothes clean and her shift starts in just 2 hours? The surprisingly simple solution may be 2 laundry pairs in one laundry room! Many dryer cycles take a lot longer than wash cycles. A single Mom, Trish, told us, “Even though there are just 3 people in our household, I never seem to have time to keep up on the laundry.” Trish’s solution? A laundry room with 2 dryers.

optional basement stair location

alternate layout for two laundry pairs

We’re not talking about 2 separate laundry areas, though that is a solution some homeowners prefer. Rather, a second laundry pair in one laundry room. And while it may be possible to squeeze two stacking washer/dryer combos into a standard laundry room, this concept works best in a larger laundry room. A natural amenity for larger families, extended and multigenerational households, dual washers and dryers can be a real time saver. But in reality, who wouldn’t enjoy the extra free time we have with the laundry being done quickly? Some women described having dual laundry pairs with comments like “It’s the only way to keep up!” Another emphatic comment from a guy: “Brilliant! My wife wants to know when she will get her second pair!” Janie Murnane, publisher of Her Home added, “The more the laundry has to be separated, the more this idea makes sense to me.” Two laundry pairs use no more water, gas or electricity. And with many utility companies switching to smart meters which track time of power consumption, two laundry pairs offer you the option of getting the laundry done during off-peak times!

To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

the Hibbler | plan 50028-54Y

the Lansbury | plan 42077-54Y

1552 total sq. ft.

1460 main level sq. ft. | 583 upper level sq. ft. 2043 total sq. ft.

40 42

1. 50030-54Y Claire Version 1590 total sq. ft.

1. 42078-54Y Claire Version 2335 total sq. ft.

2. 50027-54Y Margo Version 1512 total sq. ft.

2. 42075-54Y Margo Version 2215 total sq. ft.

3. 50029-54Y Maggie Version 1502 total sq. ft.

3. 42076-54Y Maggie Version 2012 total sq. ft.

To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

the Crosby | plan 50033-54Y

the Sheedy | plan 42071-54Y

1462 total sq. ft.

1094 main level sq. ft. | 1200 upper level sq. ft. 2294 total sq. ft.

36 36

alternate layout with second bedroom

alternate layout with powder bath

1. 50034-54Y Claire Version 1765 total sq. ft.

1. 42069-54Y Claire Version 2329 total sq. ft.

2. 50031-54Y Margo Version 1733 total sq. ft.

2. 42070-54Y Margo Version 2119 total sq. ft.

3. 50032-54Y Maggie Version 1470 total sq. ft.

3. 42068-54Y Maggie Version 2377 total sq. ft.

To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

THEN

NOW VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

CAMERA

ONLINE HOME PLAN SEARCHES

Square footage...number of bedrooms...width...traditional online home plan searches simply filter down the number of plans to look at. Logical, but it does little to help you identify the perfect home.

Livability Search is different. In addition to the traditional search criteria, select how important each of the Livability aspects (entertaining, de-stressing, storing and flexible living) are to you! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun, intuitive, and more quickly helps you identify the home of your dreams!

Exclusively at DesignBasics.com