Find a new home for now and forever
An important consideration in any home purchase is how long you plan to or hope to live in it. Is this going to be a starter home, a vacation home or a forever home?
With enough foresight and planning, a new construction home could be all three; it might even serve as a home to pass down to other generations.
For starters, by definition, “starter home” typically refers to the buyer’s first-time home purchase. It may also represent a couple’s first purchase of a home together, even if one person has already owned a home of their own.
The buyer or buyers know from the outset that they don’t want to or cannot live in the home for more than 10, 20 or 30 years.
A “forever” home represents the dwelling that the buyers plan to live in — or at least maintain ownership of — for an unlimited period of time.
Whether a starter home or a forever home, new construction homes in California also include popular, contemporary features such as solar power, energy-efficient construction, technology, flexible spaces and indoor-outdoor living. They also tend to be located in well-planned communities near schools and sought-after amenities.
Although the concept of a forever home may imply that the home is newer and larger than a starter home, new construction homes in California provide flexibility not only in floor plans but for future improvements.
Focus on the floor plan
No matter the size of either a starter home or a forever home, the floor plan determines the kinds of living arrangements that are most comfortable for a buyer. Fortunately, even new homes built for first-time buyers are designed with flexible space.
Among the most valuable advancements in new-home design and building to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic was that builders quickly latched onto people’s needs for spaces of their own in the home.
Look for floor plans with a mixture of openconcept living spaces and rooms or spaces that are out of high-traffic areas. Look for floor plans that offer flexibility or rooms that can include roughedin plumbing and electrical so the homeowner can convert those spaces for different purposes at a later date.
Even the low-maintenance features of new townhomes and their communities can become the sites of forever-home lifestyles.
Some first-time and forever-home buyers know they will always want to live within walking or a few minutes’ drive of transit, shopping, dining, entertainment and schools. For them, the “lock it and leave it” lifestyle of modern townhomes is the perfect long-term purchase.
Consider ADU possibilities
In 2020, legislation in California allowed property owners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to their properties in most counties, where space permits.
This even includes new-home communities, provided any future structures or additions adhere to covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) that some communities have.
Companies that specialize in construction of
ADUs are working with homeowners to create custom structures on their properties, either attached to the homes or on the property apart from the main home.
For some people who are buying a starter home on a lot that could one day accommodate another structure, the possibility remains that three generations could live comfortably on the same property.
For instance, on the same property as a threebedroom, two-bathroom primary house that comfortably accommodates two generations, the homeowners could plan to welcome a third generation of the family now or at a later date. This scenario can accommodate people such as grandparents or young adults who are just starting out on their independence.
Without having to move upon the need or desire to welcome a third generation, the ADU can feature living and sleeping spaces, a full bathroom, a full kitchen and a private entrance with its own porch.
Where lot size allows, some ADU plans even include up to three bedrooms.
Find the future — now
Think about where you are in your career, in your family and in your goals. Deciding between a starter home and a forever home — or one that serves as both — doesn’t have to be difficult.
You’ll be well served by an open mind, a willingness to tour a variety of homes and communities, and eagerness to speak to builders. Ask them about how their past and current buyers are starting out in forever homes that meet their needs from the time they move in.