CarolingLiving.com reports high quality, low maintenance, open space flexibility and “small palace” comforts as motivations for homeowners.
Some current home building trends in the
- Brick – not only is it made from nearby
- Porches – either screened or open remain popular as do open air decks. This type of “outdoor living” is possible most months of the year and the outdoor rooms invite neighborly get-togethers, invite star-gazing and bird-watching and expand the livable areas at relatively little cost.
- Floors - hardwood floors, a plus when it comes to reselling homes, is popular. Adding a ceramic finish to a wood floor helps to increase its durability, not to mention it looks nice. Limestone and coral flooring is also a newer trend.
- Water Features – Just outside the dining areas, home owners are installing hidden fountain heads spraying up just outside the window areas. The sight and sound of water provides a lovely ambience while dining.
- Home Design – Home owners are enjoy more open space where entertaining and family gatherings flow naturally from eating to living areas, or to the porch. And rooms flexible in nature that can serve as an extra bedroom, family room, den or home office is also appealing.
- Lower Maintenance – Items that are lower in maintenance such as irrigation systems, architectural shingles and fences with a wrought-iron look are also popular.
- Proximity – Another trend, especially among empty nesters, is the desire to be within walking distance of various places such as food markets, museums, bistros, entertainment and life-long learning center.
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Chosen as “One of the Best Places to Live”, Charlotte, North Carolina, is a good bet if you are looking to buy a new home.
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