New Calgary Home Buyers Guide – Choosing a Floor Plan
- June 25, 2017
- By Cody Battershill
How to Choose the Right Floor Plan When Buying a New Home
One of the most exciting things about buying a new home in Calgary is getting to choose the floor plan. The type of lifestyle that you and your family live should ultimately weigh in on the one you choose as it will shape how you experience your home.
From room size and layout to location and functionality, there’s more than a handful of considerations to take before choosing one that’s right for you. Here’s a few tips to help you find the perfect floor plan fit:
#1 - Decide what kind of property you want
First and foremost, you must decide what kind of home you need.
Every family doesn’t need a sprawling semi-estate home while others won’t feel like they have enough space in a smaller two-bedroom property.
You may be okay with parking on the street or decide that a two-car garage is a must-have feature.
There’s a wide range of new homes available in developing communities in Calgary ranging from starter to estate each with different options, so take the time to consider which one would suit your wants, needs and lifestyle best.
#2 - Pick your square footage carefully
One of the first things to consider is how big your floor plan needs to be not just for now, but also for 2, 5 or even 10 years into the future.
For example, if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, choosing a floor plan that offers additional space for upgraded appliances and cabinetry may be just the thing you need.
Even if you don’t have a luxury fridge and six-burner gas stove top to start, its possible you’ll think about getting these in a home renovation at some point in the future.
Another good consideration is the current size or future size of your family. If you can see your new home being a place you’ll stay for the long-term, then having an extra bedroom (or two) upstairs might be essential.
The more space you have to grow into, the happier you’ll be!
#3 - Determine what kind of plan you want based on your design style
Most modern homes are built with open-concept floor plans while many older homes have a compartmentalized interior with rooms on each level separated by walls; the question is which one would fit your needs best?
Think about how you would furnish and decorate while also keeping in mind that flowing and coordinated color schemes are an important part of creating that perfect interior space.
An additional consideration is the functionality of the floor plan as an open-concept one offers more space and easier communication between residents while a compartmentalized one provides more privacy and usually more rooms to make use of.
- Learn more about Choosing the Right Home Builder for the Job today.
#4 – Consider the functionality of the floor plan
The functionality of a floor plan is played out by the location of one room in relation to another.
For example, perhaps a quiet room for an office space is a must-have for your home-based business. Having a big enough room far enough away from areas where the kids will be playing may be just what you need.
On the other hand, having a long hallway that separates the kitchen from the children’s play spaces may be a problem when trying to communicate with them on a frequent basis.
Furthermore, is the mudroom and laundry in a location where it will work for you and will be used often instead of the front or back door?
Other questions you’ll want to answer before choosing a floor plan include:
Q - How do you typically entertain guests? Do you enjoy small, formal dinners or much larger pot-luck style gatherings?
Q - Is there a possibility that you’ll need additional living spaces for elderly parents or grandchildren sometime in the future?
Q - How long do you see yourself living in this space and what kind of square footage do you need to be able to grow into the house over the long-term?
#5 – Take as much time as you need
There’s absolutely no rush when it comes to choosing the right floor plan for you. Take as much time as you need to go over as many floor plans as there are from a wide range of home builders.
One builder may have a floor plan that offers exactly what you want except one or two things while another builder may offer that exact floor plan minus those one or two things.
You’ll never know what’s available unless you look at all your options.
- Take your time and follow these 5 Crucial Steps to Buying a New Construction Home
#6 – If it feels right, it probably is
When choosing a floor plan, its crucial you base your decisions off factors like functionality, square footage, design style and overall flow.
Don’t be swayed by swanky upgrades you’ll see in most show suites but try to imagine the space in a stripped-down state then move towards forming an opinion.
A floor plan shouldn’t feel right because it has a stainless-steel appliance package or heated flooring in the bathrooms; it should feel right because of a functional layout that has a welcoming entrance attached to the living room and kitchen that makes it easy to entertain your loved ones.
#7 – Get professional advice from a real estate agent and / or interior designer
Sometimes a little help from a real estate agent or interior designer may be just what you need to consider factors that aren’t yet tangible or seen with the naked eye.
An agent may recommend one floor plan over another based off his or her experience with helping people buy and sell homes and their overall satisfaction with layouts that they chose.
An interior designer may recommend one space over another because of its aesthetic potential to be a space with incredible flow and charm.
Sometimes a professional opinion can make a huge difference in our own decisions.
- Also see these 6 Reasons to Use a REALTOR® When Building a New Calgary Home
More New Home Guides
Looking for a new home in Calgary sometime soon? If so, I guarantee you’ll find a floor plan that suites your wants, needs and lifestyle best by following the tips above. We also have several below for you to browse:
Questions About Buying a New Home in Calgary?
Talk to an experienced REMAX real estate agent and REALTOR® in Calgary today and get only the best service and advice the industry has to offer!
Call me anytime at 403-370-4180 or message me below for a prompt response. I am looking forward to helping you accomplish your real estate plans!
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