Whether you are building a spec home to sell or you are building your dream home to live in for the next (insert # here) years, choosing the right options can impact your ability to sell your home (today and down the road). When we build an NDI spec home, we think hard about what options, if any, we need to put into the house in order to maximize our investment. What we ultimately decide on mostly depends on the location of the lot. It’s so important not to over build for the neighborhood but “under building” can be just as harmful to your overall investment.
We do most of our spec building around the beltway in McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington. There are definitely options I would add to our signature features in these locations. Buyers of new homes in that area expect it.
Not worried about what buyers want because you’re building a home to live in vs. to sell on spec? I understand! But you will sell your home one day and if your home is at the upper end price point, buyers are going to expect certain features.
#1 HardiePlank
HardiePlank is the leader in fiber cement siding, and we install A LOT of it. It’s a great product because it is fairly low maintenance (it will need to be painted every 15-20 years) and comes in many different colors. 
#2 Hardwood Floors (in the right places)
Our Signature Features include hardwood in the common areas on the main level. We will typically add hardwood to the balance of the 1st floor and the 2nd floor hallway, and in some cases, the Owner’s Suite.
#3 Painted Kitchen Cabinets
Painted cabinets are still in high demand (although wood stain is having a moment!). People love them and I don’t see this design preference going away.
Remember…kitchens sell homes!
#4 Finished Basement Space
For just $40/square foot (wet bar, cabinetry extra), you can finish as much or as little basement space as you want. And for an additional $9K, you can finish the basement bathroom. The additional finished square footage will have such a positive impact on your investment and buyers will expect it.
#5 Outside Living Space (if you have any budget left)
If the budget allows, incorporate a deck or screen porch. Most buyers expect it and while it can easily be done later, people want to have a move in ready home. 
Again, the key is not to under build and not over build. There is a sweet spot in between where every dollar you put into your project, is returned (and then some!).
You might wonder why we haven’t added the features listed above to our standard homes. There are two reasons for that.
Reason #1 – Not everyone wants them and we don’t want to price clients out of the opportunity to build a custom home.
Reason #2 – We build outside the immediate DC area in markets of VA that don’t necessarily expect these features. Heck – there are neighborhoods INSIDE the beltway that don’t require all of these features.
Remember, whether you are building on spec or building your dream home, you will at some point sell your home. I can recall several clients who finished their NDI homes only to find out they were getting a job transfer. It happens. By incorporating features that will appeal to most buyers, you will better equipped to sell your home quickly and maximize your investment. Still unsure which features are best for your lot location, give us a call and we will walk you through it.
Dream. Build. Live.