Wants Vs Needs: Distinguishing What's Important in Your New Build

It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the beautiful features that you want in your new home, and since you’re building it from scratch, the limits are endless, right? That’s not always the case. Most of us have a budget that we need to work within while building our dream home, and while the goal is to be able to include all of the features you want, there may come a time where you need to choose between one or the other. Stay tuned as we take you through the difference between wants and needs, and our best tips on how to navigate through the decision process.

Wants Vs Needs - What's the Difference?

Building your brand-new home is an exciting time and it’s not hard to consider everything as a necessity, however, there is a key difference. A need is something that is essential to your home in order for it to function properly for you and your family, while a want is something you desire, but it is not actually required. For example, maybe you need a 4-bedroom home so all your children can each have a room to call their own, while the quartz countertops in the kitchen that you love is something you want, but is not necessary for the functionality of the space. Unless you have unlimited resources and money is no object, it may come down to having to decide between the two.

Tips on Decision-Making

It’s good to keep in mind that buying a new home can be an emotional process. We fall in love with things we see in show homes, on Pinterest boards or on your favorite renovation series. However, when it comes down to it, we normally can’t include absolutely everything. It’s important to take the time to consider what you want in your new home versus what you need for it to function in the best way possible for you and your family. It’s no surprise that this is easier said than done, so how are you supposed to make the decision? 

Our first suggestion is to write down a list of everything you want to include in your new home, as well as the reason behind each item. This way, you can see if your reasoning is important or if it’s more of a feature you would like to have, but it really isn’t a necessity. For example, say you were deciding between a third stall in your attached garage or an additional bedroom. If you need the third stall in the garage as a workspace for your side business, while the additional bedroom was meant to be a home office, think about what is more beneficial in the long run. Maybe you can set up a home office in the basement, where using the standard two car garage to run your business wouldn’t give you the space you need. In this case, the third stall in the garage is more of a necessity, as the home office can be set up elsewhere.

Another aspect to consider is how much the change you’re making is going to cost. If you can get two of the items on your list for the same price or lower, it might be more beneficial for you to choose the items a bit lower on the list than the most expensive one. This way you’re getting more of the items you would like, or need, to have. However, it is still important to keep in mind which will serve you better over time.

Finally, we encourage you to think about what needs to be included in your build, and what can be added later. Maybe you want a paneled feature wall in your bedroom, but it’s just not in your budget. It is simple enough to do that after possession, whereas potlights in the great room would be easier to include in your build. Be sure to talk to your New Home Sales Consultant about what is better to include now and what you can save for later.

Items to Consider Including in Your Build

As we mentioned before, there are some home features that are better suited to be included in your build in order to save you time and money down the road. These features are usually centered around modifications to the structure, electrical or plumbing of your home. Once your home is complete, it’s harder to go back and bump out a wall or add a higher amperage to your electrical panel. Some items you should consider are:

• Alarm System: an alarm system will need to be wired into your homes electrical, so it is best to include it right from the start rather than trying to pull wires later. While you may be on the fence with the upfront cost, in most cases having an alarm system can qualify you for a discount on your home insurance, saving you money in the long run
• Smart Home Features: like the alarm system, smart home features will need to be wired into your home as well. Here at Broadview Homes, we offer a Smart Home Package that includes an alarm system, smart thermostat, 3 zones of lighting, a security camera and a water sensor. If you’re interested in including this in your new home, talk to your New Home Sales Consultant about your options
• Steel Beam: if basement development is something you’re interested in now or would rather do it further down the road, a steel beam should be an item that you consider including now. A steel beam will provide support for a larger area to be unobstructed by a telepost, allowing you more open space for future development
• Rough-in Gas Lines: whether you want a fireplace or to be able to connect your barbecue directly to your home’s gas supply, a gas line can be roughed-in for future use without the need for a major renovation later on
• Electrical Modifications: if adding an outlet, light fixture or increasing your electrical service to a 200-amp panel is something on your list, now is the time to do it. Once again, this will save you from future work entailing opening walls and pulling wire
• Layout Modifications: If you fell in love with one of our plans but would like to modify it slightly, we suggest speaking with your New Home Sales Consultant to get the changes quoted for your consideration. Whether you’d like to make the bedrooms a bit larger or add the deluxe ensuite to the master, it is key to discuss these changes at the beginning stages of the home building process

While these are just a few of the items to consider including in your new home build, it really comes down to what is a necessity for you. If you’ve gone through your options and are still on the fence, don’t hesitate to speak to your New Home Sales Consultant. They will be happy to help you through the process!