Cookie-cutter is out, and unique is back in a very big way! Keep a lookout for these fresh new architectural styles in and around DC in 2013:

1. The Hybrid:
   
   Old and new are coming together like never before—in 2013, you’ll see modern architectural elements like skylights and strong lines fused seamlessly with classical designs.
2. The Environmentalist:
   Expect to see several new innovations in green building materials this year.  Concrete, new composites, even cardboard will be seen in construction ranging from personal homes to large commercial buildings.
3. The Artist:
   We’re seeing a renewed interest in the Arts and Crafts movement. Homes coupling bungalow charm with fresh, new artisanal touches will be popping up throughout the DC metro region.

What’s your architectural personality? Take this fun quiz from the folks at HGTV.

And of course, check out NewHomesGuide.com for all the latest from the area’s best new home builders.

We’ve all heard the saying “men are from Mars, women are from Venus,” and one Maine homebuilder has found that couldn’t be more true in house hunting and home design.

Mark Patterson of Patco Construction has spent a lot of time listening to what female homebuyers are looking for in their new homes and has become a specialist in delivering “woman-centric” designs.

Here are a few highlights you may want to keep in mind while you’re searching for your new home:

1. Increase Organization: The little things really matter—especially when they get lost in the cabinets or pantry. Patco offers storage solutions that eliminate nuisances in the kitchen and other problem areas.
2. Eliminate Clutter: To manage unwanted clutter, Patco offers a stop-and-drop area coming in from the garage with its own junk drawer and a place to stash keys and wallets.
3. Hide the Mess: Patterson notes that laundry can be a huge stressor for women and believes that laundry rooms should be near the bedroom with a door that can be closed to keep the mess—and stress—out of sight.

To read the full article, click here. And as always, happy house hunting!

If you’re like us here at New Homes Guide, features in your home that make your life easier are key. Well, we recently came across a new product that lets you use your iPad as a convenient control center for your home.

As if there weren’t already enough reasons to love your iPad…

LaunchPort lets you easily and safely mount your iPad using revolutionary magnet technology that also acts as a charging station. No pesky wires or bulky hardware, and your iPad is always charged and ready to go!

Did we mention it looks great??

Photo from www.launchport.com

So what can you do with LaunchPort? Instead of walking from one end of the house to the other to adjust the thermostat, adjust the heat on your LaunchPort without missing a beat. In the kitchen, you can browse recipes online to make your own personal, digital cookbook. And when it’s time to eat, set the perfect mood with music from your iPad music library!

Click here to learn more about the LaunchPort system and how it can put you in control of your home.

The folks over at Rooms in Bloom Home Staging & Design Inc. have identified the top 10 features buyers are looking for.

Did your must-haves make the list? Here are a few highlights:

Trend #1: Open Concept Homes – If you’re a fan of HGTV, you’ve heard this term—open concept. It’s everywhere! Homebuyers want an open, flowing main floor layout. Gone are the days of separate rooms for separate functions.

Trend #2: Smart Storage Solutions – If you’re like most buyers today, you want all your ‘stuff’ to have its place, but remain accessible. Building smart storage solutions into smaller places is key!

Trend #3: Efficiency – ENERGY STAR®-certified light fixtures and appliances not only reduce our impact on the environment, they reduce the cost of homeownership, and who doesn’t love that??

Click here for more details on the top home features for 2012, and as always, happy house hunting!

GE recently unveiled their newest kitchen appliance color – slate – and we were instant fans. Of course, we love the sophisticated, natural look, but that’s no surprise – GE has been at the forefront of appliance design for many years.

And, oh my how the times have changed! Whatever happened to avocado green and harvest gold??

Unlike some of their…um…bolder color choices from years ago, GE’s slate appliances complement nearly every countertop and cabinet color imaginable, and offer a great new way to make your kitchen more modern and stylish.

We want to know what you think! Do you love GE’s new look as much as we do?

Click here for a sneak peek at the new collection, and be sure to let us know what you think!

Vacation is right around the corner and while your mind is already on the beach, putting your feet up, and taking that much-deserved break, below are some helpful tips on what you should do to keep your home safe and secure while you’re off having fun.

Lock it Up
Make sure your doors and windows are locked properly, but also that they are in good shape and not easily broken.

Hide and Seek
Close the blinds and shades just enough so no one can peek in and see that new flat-screen.

A Helping Hand
Have a friend or neighbor collect your mail, newspaper, and even check in on your house from time to time.

Sound the Alarm
If you have an alarm system, set it. You’d be surprised how much the simple presence of an alarm system keeps burglars at bay.

Unplugged
Unplug your electronics–and power strips–to prevent shortages or electrical fires while you’re away.

Clean and Green
Take care of routine lawn maintenance before you leave–nothing says “no one’s home” like an unkempt lawn.

Silence is Golden
Think twice before you announce on Facebook that you’re headed out of town. You may be tempted to post or tweet your plans, but it’s a safer bet to share the details of your amazing trip after you get back.

Wherever you are headed, safe travels, and as always, happy house hunting!  For more helpful information and new home news, click here to subscribe to our blog feed.

New Homes Guide has done it again with a fantastic new free supplement: Best Floorplans 2012. This latest piece is a collection of innovative floorplans from the DC region’s finest builders and is available with the May/June issue.

We are always hearing that when someone is shopping for a new home, something they love to do is look at floorplans. Shoppers like to see what’s available, which structural options are offered and how their furniture might work in the new home. Realtors tell us they enjoy being able to see the floorplans in advance to know whether or not the builder has something that might work for their client or even simply to see what that builder’s style is. In response to those requests, New Homes Guide has published a supplement to our magazine that contains 53 floorplans from 17 builders.

Would you like your own free copy? Email us at nicole@newhomesguide.com or call 703-992-1100 to get your copy of Best Floorplans 2012 today!

Happy House Hunting!

Kitchens are by far one of the most important rooms when it comes to deciding on a home purchase. One of the many conveniences of purchasing a new home is being able to customize a

Beazer Homes

kitchen space based on your individual liking and needs. Just like new homes, kitchens come in many styles and just like a home purchase, kitchen style decisions should be well thought out. While you can always add personal touches to any kitchen, first choosing a style will help you narrow down your options when it comes to creating your dream kitchen.

Kitchens.com gives us a look at several different styles:

• Traditional
• Contemporary
• Transitional
• Country
• Rustic
• Arts & Crafts
• Old World

Interested in seeing more styles? You can check out New Homes Guide’s ‘Interiors’  supplement for more kitchen inspirations. Which kitchen style are you?

Happy House Hunting! 

Winchester Homes

 

Since 2000, The Pew Research Center reports that households with at least three generations of family members have increased by 30%. Wow – 30%! That seems like a pretty healthy gain to me but really not all that surprising.

Given the current economy, long life spans and the uncertainty of future financial security, the move back towards multi-generational housing makes a lot of sense. Aging parents are looking for ways to maximize their retirement income and not move into assisted living facilities. College graduates are coming back home due to lack of employment or the need for an assist as they first start out. Parents with young children could use an alternative to the added expense of day care. There are a plethora of reasons for everyone to move back in together and builders are beginning to recognize the trend with some changing floor plans.

The hot trend with new homes used to be two-story family rooms and foyers, elaborate media rooms, large owner’s suite sitting areas. While those options are still around, many buyers are looking to maximize the space in their home to allow for functionality with multi-generations as well as some privacy. Some of the latest designs: turning the 3rd bay of a 3-car garage into living space with a separate entrance, having an additional kitchen area or kitchenette, first-floor owner’s suites with another owner’s suite upstairs, living space above the garage that is normally storage or dead space, and full bedroom/baths in the basement with a kitchenette and laundry instead of the blown-out media room.

 Whatever your needs might be, now or in the future, take some time looking at plans to find the right one now that will work for years to come. Don’t be afraid to ask the builder if there is any possibility of making minor adjustments to existing plans. And enjoy one of the best benefits of multi-generational living – the emotional richness of family sharing time together again.

Happy House Hunting!

 We recently let you know what rooms would make or break a homebuyer’s decision to purchase a home. But what about the outdoor space of the home? Are you a grill master or an expert gardener?  Do you simply enjoy reading a book and relaxing outside? Many consider a home’s outdoor space to be just as important as what is inside and with Spring on the horizon, I thought we could take a look at this important extension of your living space.

These days homebuyers seem to be taking a new look at how to best utilize the outdoor space. So many people seem to want to get outside once they get home to relax, enjoy the great outdoors and entertain. Using a variety of materials to build patios and decks is very popular and having an outdoor fireplace is a big hit right now. Privacy landscaping for the smaller yards seems to be a must. Comfy, functional furniture adds the final touch.

Here’s what homebuyers indicated is important in an outdoor space:

• A large backyard
• A deck or balcony
• Installed landscaping (not everyone has that handy green thumb!)
• Comfort and privacy

Pools and large front yards actually fell to the bottom of the list. Pool maintenance isn’t for everybody, plus many of the new home developments in our area provide residents with clubhouses and pools as amenities.

So, does this sound like you at all? If you would like to share with us what you would enjoy in an outdoor space, we’d love to hear it and I’m sure the builders would too.

Happy House Hunting!