Purchasing a 'dream home' tops nearly every Australian's bucket list. It could be a contemporary city townhouse that tickles your fancy or a sprawling picket-fenced home in the suburbs, but we all want to find real estate that ticks our boxes and feels like it was made just for us. As one of the biggest investments you could make, you want to make sure you've found the ultimate home for you and your family before you commit to build or buy.
But what is it that makes a home feel just right? Forget about home loans, interest rates and purchase prices for a moment – let's talk about the details that make a new home perfect for you.
1. The location
When you buy or build a property, you won't just gain everything the home has to offer – you will also be joining the community it is located in. Consider whether you are close to amenities that suit the needs of your family, like schools and restaurants. Or perhaps, whether it is as peaceful and secluded as you desire. The neighbourhood you choose needs to fulfil your needs now, and if you plan on staying long, your goals for the future. If you have a young family, consider whether it would still be the right spot for you and your children in the years to come.
2. Street appeal
The facade of a home is one of the first things visitors will notice about a property, so choosing a style of home that reflects your personality and style could be really important. Beyond personal style, there may also be specific design, colour or council requirements that need to be adhered to. If you're building, be sure to check in with a Metricon home specialist who can cross-reference your home design choices with the local building code.
3. Flexible floorplan
Plans change, and families grow, so you want your floorplan to include enough space now and into the future. The ultimate family home can not only comfortably accommodate a young family, but also teenage children, elderly parents and guests. Create flexibility in your floor plan with multi-use rooms and spaces that can evolve, like a playroom transforming to a parents retreat, or repurposing an alcove for use as a study.
4. Open plan living
Open plan living tends to suit the modern Australian lifestyle. Big airy spaces that flow freely can take advantage of our wonderful light, offer easy entertaining options and offer a sense of space for even the largest families. Plenty of Metricon home designs enjoy an even greater sense of space by featuring seamless transitions between the indoor living areas and outdoor rooms. Not only can you slide the walls aways to enjoy more space, you can also have the flexibility to close off the outside noise if you want some serenity indoors.
5. Large bedrooms with ensuites
Your ultimate family home will have the most oversized bedrooms you can manage – sizable enough to accommodate double or queen-sized beds in each, plus additional bedroom furniture such as a tallboy, chair and bookshelves. Giving each member of your family enough space in their own private sanctuary will take the pressure off living areas. The same goes for ensuites, which are loved by parents and teenage kids alike, and save bathroom congestion in the mornings.
6. Luxury inclusions
Maybe you've always coveted a butler's pantry, or super stylish, commercial-quality cooking appliances. It may be loads of extra storage, designer tapware or deep plush carpets that excites you most. Whatever it is, don't skimp on luxury inclusions when building or buying property. These features will be the difference between liking or loving the home you're in, and there's a high chance you will be living with them for a long time. If you need an extra nudge, remind yourself that it's fantastic for the market value should the time come to sell.
8. Bathrooms
There are some things you can never have too many of, and one of those is toilets! Having a powder room near your living areas, in addition to your full bathrooms, is one of the best decisions you can make when designing your family home. It will not only give you added privacy from visitors but will also make them feel more comfortable about not having to infringe on one of your most personal spaces.
9. Interior home styling
The interior styling should be reflective of your family's lifestyle and your personalities. It could be cutting edge and modern, with bold splashes of red and stainless steel, or coastal and organic, with raw timbers and plenty of white. Every family is different, and each home will tell a different story. Metricon's Lookbook is a great source of interior home styling inspiration.
10. Energy efficiency and sustainability
With both energy costs and environmental concerns on the rise, this is one area you will want to consider very carefully. Homes that leave a lighter ecological footprint are not just more cost-effective; they're also more comfortable to live in. For more advice on designing an energy-efficient home, check out our blog post here.
If you are planning to build, you may be interested in Metricon's display homes or our resources page. You'll find more articles, including tips for first home buyers, choosing investment properties and general home buying hacks on our blog.
Metricon can help you achieve your homeownership dream and get you into the property market in VIC, NSW, QLD and SA. Talk to us about your home purchase today.
