COVID Changed More Than Home Offices, Say These Two Homebuilding Pros

Over a year into the pandemic, the market for new construction is booming. Nowhere is that more evident than in North Texas.

But the same house you might have bought years ago is going to cost you a lot more today. Jeff Dworkin, president of JLD Custom Homes, says that prices are continuing to rise for houses in the neighborhoods in which he typically builds.

The National Association of Home Builders records that the average cost of a new home has risen considerably in the past year, from $317,100 in May 2020 to $374,400 in May 2021. 

A New Era For Home Design

While the market is thriving, lockdown has shaped how people use their homes, and in turn, Dworkin said, the features they request in both new construction and remodeling. 

According to Stephan Sardone of Sardone Construction, “cozy” is the key word often used by his clients in their remodeling plans — calm and functional with space for families to spend time together. Sardone said that lockdown has likely influenced this trend as families spent more time in their homes, and together, than ever. 

Sardone has received an increasing number of requests for more office space, as well as “all the little customizations … that go along with a kitchen or living or study that help the family just do life a lot easier,” Sardone said. “They’re kind of letting their home be a home again.” 

Building a Truly Custom Home

Sardone says of his clients and the rising popularity of home customization: 

“One of the Ford F-150 successes was they had cupholders, and people are thinking more about cupholders than they ever have when it comes to their homes.”

The pandemic has made homeowners more attuned to accessibility within their homes, too. Dworkin consistently receives requests to make homes “high-speed ready.” 

“People want that whole-house connectivity,” rather than simply wifi access in certain rooms. 

In building and remodeling, homeowners are also considering the need to have more than one office space, allowing every member of the family a place to work. Dworkin has received requests for large desks with large amounts of light as well as study lofts to maximize space. 

Life is Better Outdoors

Additionally, both Sardone and Dworkin have also observed a spike in requests for outdoor spaces. 

“Outdoor spaces were already really hot, and now I think it’s going to be the standard,” Sardone said. 

Popular outdoor requests among Dworkin’s clients include large patios, outdoor TVs, and swimming pools ― Dworkin indicated that some pool contractors in Dallas-Fort Worth are six to seven months behind due to high demand. The NAHB included outdoor features such as exterior lighting and patios as well as front porches in their list of the top features that are frequently desired by buyers in 2021. 

As homes have become spaces for both relaxation and work, ease and function seem to be paramount for buyers and homeowners alike.