What’s Hot in Homebuilding For 2014? Jeff Dworkin of JLD Custom Homes Weighs in

With inventory short and getting shorter, many home buyers are looking for land or teardowns and building up from there, making their dream home vertical rather than bidding again and again after properties and coming up short.

What is new and exciting, though, is the buyer who knows what they want and demands quality construction. They are everywhere these days, with buying power galore thanks to the resurgent North Texas economy.

So we asked Jeff Dworkin, founder of JLD Custom Homes, a CandysDirt.com approved builder, what buyers are asking for this year. Dworkin has several completed projects in East Dallas, some of which are amazing homes in Forest Hills, Little Forest Hills, and Lakewood enclaves that buyer’s snatch up before the dust settles. Dworkin’s company is known for building homes that blend with existing architecture, and are cost-effective and green to boot!

“We are seeing folks wanting some clean lines — squares, rectangles, etc. — in tile and flooring,” Dworkin said. “We are also seeing folks ask a lot more questions about energy efficiency and what their utility bills will be.”

Dworkin’s company has worked hard on its designs, several of which are certified by Green Built Texas. These homes meet stringent standards of energy efficiency that make them attractive to those who wish to conserve resources and lower their electric bills.

Dworkin says clients are also asking for open floor plans, with kitchens open to large, much more casual family rooms that serve several purposes. “A lot of folks do not even want a dining room anymore, especially those under 40,” Dworkin added, saying that large eat-in kitchen islands are preferred.

While some owners want upscale or luxury stainless steel appliances in their homes, demanding brands such as Wolf, SubZero, Miele, and Viking, Dworkin isn’t seeing much of that yet.

“In the under $750K price point, we are not seeing the request for Viking/ Wolf as of yet, but outdoor built-in grills, spots for wine fridges and the ‘professional looking’ appliances,” he said.