New Home 101: Designing Your Dream Home

You’ve signed the contract. Now comes the fun part: choosing the features and finishes that make your new house feel like home.

Why it matters: Designing a new home is exciting – but it’s also about balancing your priorities, budget, and future resale value. With production builders, personalization has limits.

The Basics

Customization depends on three things:

• Stage of construction – Early builds allow structural changes; later stages may limit you to paint colors.

• Lot selection – Size and placement affect what’s possible (e.g., three-car vs. two-car garage).

• Builder options – Some offer broad personalization, others stick to set packages.

What You Choose and When

Typical order:

• Pick floor plan and lot → sign contract → choose structural changes → finalize finishes.

• Some builders compress this timeline. Expect most decisions within two weeks.

Perspective:

“Buyers must pick structural options upfront so we can write the contract and file permits,” says Angel Boales, sales associate at Meritage Homes. Within 14 days, buyers head to the design center for two sessions.

“Take your time so you don’t feel like you’re settling,” says Dierksen, an Epcon homebuyer. “You’ll be happier if you’ve looked around to find the best match.”

Choices to Make

Expect “good-better-best” tiers in categories like:

• Flooring

• Kitchen & bathroom countertops

• Kitchen & bathroom cabinets

• Interior & exterior doors

• Lighting fixtures

• Plumbing fixtures

• Hardware

• Appliances

• Heating & air conditioning systems

• Paint & trim colors

• Exterior materials

Match Plans to Priorities

• Not every floor plan can fit your wish list.

• Work with sales staff and design consultants to confirm what’s possible.

• Touring models or using virtual tools helps align your vision with reality.

Staying on Budget

• Expect trade-offs. A $32,000 hardwood floor is different from an $8,000 floor and may mean “level one” counters.

• Have a clear budget before visiting the design center.

• “Options must fit within the loan amount unless buyers pay cash separately,”say Angel Boales, Sales Manager at Meritage Homes.

• Use builder software or online tools to preview costs and monthly impacts.

• “Know how much you want to spend and how to get the most value,” adds Dr. Jonathan Cohen, a Toll Brothers buyer.

High-Value Upgrades

Popular options that boost resale:

• Laundry room

• Garage storage

• Walk-in pantry

• Energy-efficient appliances and windows

• Open layouts and smart storage outperform oversized luxury spaces. “Big, glamorous owner bedrooms are out—buyers now want efficient use of space,” says Stephen Melman of NAHB.

Finding Design Inspiration

• Look to your own style, model homes, and sites like Houzz, HGTV, Pinterest, and Architectural Digest.

• Keep a file – digital or paper – of ideas that resonate.

• Rely on sales and design consultants for expert guidance.

Energy and Tech Features

• Nearly all new homes come with standard energy-efficient features.

• Optional upgrades: solar panels, tankless water heaters, advanced HVAC.

• Tech-ready homes add value with wiring for streaming, automation, and security. Even USB outlets help.

The bottom line: Plan ahead, know your budget, and work with your builder’s experts. The right choices will give you a home that fits your lifestyle today and holds value tomorrow.

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