One of the most fun things about looking for a new home in Kyle, Texas, is browsing the model homes to pick up ideas of the right home for you. You most likely have some thoughts of what you’d like. As you browse a Kyle builder’s floor plans, select a few floor plans that may work for you. Some builders will allow you to make tweaks. Just ask.
It’s all too easy to click your way through many floor plans and not be able to decide. There’s no substitute for seeing them in person. Streamline the process by asking yourself these five questions.
WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR HOME?
Do you want a home with room to grow for a family? Is it just you? One other person? Roommates? A family has very different needs than someone with three roommates. Roommates often prefer their own bathrooms. Or at least one bathroom they can share without entering another person’s bedroom.
Do you want to host parties and entertain? If yes, think about floor space especially in the living and formal rooms. The way these are designed can make a party feel spacious or cramped.
You may or may not have a picture of what your life will be like in five or 10 years. Do you plan to grow your family? Do you have kids, furry or human? How old are the kids? The younger they are, the more likely they’ll make messes. Or is retirement in the near future?
These questions will help you figure out how long you plan to stay in your home. And what kind of changes you may need.
WHAT KIND OF LOT DO I WANT?
Do you want a place with minimal lawn care requirements? Or do you want a full-blown backyard with room for a playground and a pool? Or just a nice covered patio for grilling and visiting?
Warm weather season in Texas tends to last longer than the average. It can be an ideal place for a swimming pool. You may not want to do pool upkeep or hire someone to do it. In that case, Kyle has lots of wonderful places to swim, kayak, and fish nearby. A few neighborhoods like Crosswinds have a community swimming pool. You get the best of both worlds. No pool to upkeep, but one close enough that you can walk to it.
Answering this question will help you determine what kind of lot you want. Also, think about if you prefer to live in a cul-de-sac, in the middle of the street, or on the end. Lots can be flat, hilly, narrow and wide, or deep and shallow.
HOW MUCH STORAGE SPACE DO YOU NEED?
Are you big on decorating for the holidays? Some families use rooms and the attic for storing their holiday decorations. A big backyard could support a large shed for storing yard supplies and holiday decorations.
Do you have a special collection? A large library of books? Some families keep multiple sets of dishes. One for every day, china for special occasions, and special china for the holidays. In this case, you’ll want a kitchen with lots of cabinet space and perhaps a buffet for storing dishes and trays.
WHAT DO I WISH MY CURRENT OR PAST HOMES HAD?
We’ve all found ourselves wishing we had this or that. Or not have certain things. Make a note of those wishes. Use the list to help you find a floor plan that closely matches the wish list. Some home builders have floor plans with options. A plan could offer three options for the master bath, another for the study, and one for an optional covered patio.
Some new home builders will accommodate making changes. For instance, a family asked for built-in shelves in the game room. They also asked to remove a wall to open up space. It’s important to make sure the changes don’t affect the home’s integrity. Ask about that. Builders should be thinking of such things, but it helps to double-check.
Remember, you can always change the color of the walls, the flooring, and other elements. It’s harder to change the number and size of the rooms. That would turn into a major project. Do you want your bedroom to be on the first floor of a two-story home? Do you want an open floor plan? Lots of windows?
HOW WILL THE MORNING AND EVENING SUN AFFECT THE HOME?
You’ve probably been in homes where the sun just filled up a room. This warms up the room and could potentially make it harder to see at certain times of the day. Study the floor plan and its windows. One couple’s bedroom generally stays unchanged all day. The sun doesn’t glare in the room. And nighttime lightning is barely noticeable. One of the owners is sensitive to light, so this helps with sleep.
The more windows you have, the more it will affect your energy bills for heating and cooling. Narrow down the homes or floor plans you like. Then, see if the sun shines brightly in the right places. The builder can let you know where the windows face ensuring you optimize those great views and block unwanted views.
Shopping for a new home in Kyle has a lot of variables. The answers to these five big questions will help. Remember that changes can add to the home’s price tag. If you can’t do everything, make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Prioritize the list. Verify that your potential home has the items on the top of the list and work your way down.
You can browse builders homes and floor plans in the Crosswinds community in Kyle, Texas. To learn more about the community, contact us or connect with our team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.