Paying Too Much for the Land

More and more economists are pointing to the Millennial demographic as the next big wave of homebuyers. That group, also known as Gen Y, numbers almost 90 million and is continuing to grow.

For decades, market and trend researchers mainly focused on what interested Baby Boomers when shopping for single-family housing. However, the times are changing and there is now a strong need to identify what motivates generations in their 20's and 30's to make large, emotional investments in housing.

Challenging Demographic

Millennials are proving to be a challenging category for homebuilders as they're hard to pin down with the youngest being teenagers and the oldest in their early 30s. Some want a hip, urban lifestyle while others are looking for a more traditional home in which to start a family. There is not a "one-size-fits-all" one-buyer profile for this generation.

Seeking Urban Areas

Millenials are not looking for the same living standards as Gen Xers or Baby Boomers.  They're looking for homes that reflect modern sensibilities and prefer to live in metropolitan areas, close to their jobs, friends and social life. Millenials are starting to secure good jobs and moving out of condos or their parent's homes into single-family homes within an urban environment. 

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Ask award winning New York-based interior designer Eric Cohler what's on his design bucket list and he'll tell you designing a hotel or yacht are among his dream projects. However, while dreaming big in design is important, Cohler also will be the first to tell you that it's often the smallest pieces that can have the biggest impact on a space-and a big impact on prospective home buyers too.

From small kitchens to entire houses, it's the hardware that can make or break any design. Cohler advocates that style doesn't have to be expensive-it's all about putting the right things together. "Trends in housing are moving from open floor plans to more sectioned off rooms, and less of the loft-like room settings we've become accustomed to," he says. "When decorating a kitchen for example, I don't match the hardware to the appliances- it's limiting. Instead, I'll look at the cabinet style. Looking at the style as whole instead of trying to match other pieces is where my decisions happen."

With so many options for residential home builder software on the market today, there is no short answer as to what one is the best, but simply, what one works best for your company.

Here we explore the top 8 attributes to look for when investing in home builder software:

1. Integration

Integration is key. If your staff is spending most of their time entering data into several different software packages, they are spending less time on important tasks like cutting checks and selling houses.

Integration between modules reduces the chance for data errors, minimizes the amount of required administrative labor, and helps maintain a single version of the truth when it comes to all project billing data.

When all data is stored on one system, information flows from one department to another, seamlessly and in real time.

2. Visibility

When analyzing different home builder software packages, you will want to choose one with highly visible and accessible data. This includes the ability to generate customizable reports and compare historical data.

With this information, home builders can gain valuable insights into cost breakdowns of their last project, and apply them to their most current and future projects. Also, be sure to select a system with strong search utilities and import/export capabilities.

 

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Lighting is one of the most important elements of a home. The right lighting creates an inviting environment and sets the scene for entertaining guests, while largely impacting the perceived value of your home.

We are proud to partner with Progress Lighting to bring you high quality fixtures that display up-to-date design trends. Progress Lighting understands the marketplace and offers lighting solutions that complement the latest home furnishings.

Read on to learn 5 top lighting trends, courtesy of Progress Lighting.

Grouped pendant displays

When it comes to pendant lighting - the more the merrier. A large entertainment island is one of the top priorities for today's homeowners. A popular way to highlight this area is to cluster multiple mini-pendants above the island. Mix and match styles and finishes at differing heights for a contemporary feel. Or, line the island with the same size and style for a simple, clean-lined approach.

Clear glass with exposed sources

Another trend noted by Progress Lighting design experts is the use of fixtures featuring clear glass and an exposed light source. These designs pair beautifully with bright, white cabinets, creating a fresh and lively atmosphere.
 

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