There’s a common misconception that custom homes don’t need to account for resale value. Even if you’re building your "forever home," it’s important to be smart about future-proofing. Circumstances can change, and even if you never plan to move, it’s essential to consider how your design choices might impact the future value of your home. Failing to design with resale in mind could mean missing out on important features that increase marketability down the road.
At AV Architects + Builders, we’ve mastered the balance between designing luxury custom homes that reflect your unique lifestyle while also maximizing resale potential. With over 23 years of experience, we know how to incorporate key features that add long-term value without sacrificing the uniqueness of a custom build. Recently, we shared our top strategies for designing with resale value in mind through a seminar with the Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN).
In this article, we’ll explore the top 7 design choices used in Tony and Francisca’s own personal home that not only enhance their daily lives but also boosted resale potential.
Maximizing Resale Value: 7 Must-Have Features for Your Custom Home
1. Solar-Ready Wiring
As energy efficiency becomes a higher priority for homebuyers, having a solar-ready home is a significant selling point. Installing the wiring for solar panels during the build is a low-cost addition that makes it easy to install panels later.
Francisca explains, “It’s solar-ready, meaning all the conduits have been run, and we just have to pop little holes through there and put the solar panels in when the time comes. It really is pennies in the scheme of cost, and it adds a lot of value for people as they're growing into the house.”
With sustainability on the rise, being solar-ready can make your home more attractive to environmentally conscious buyers down the road.
2. Oversized Home Office That Could Convert to a Bedroom
In today’s world, remote work is becoming the norm, and most buyers look for homes with dedicated office spaces. However, flexibility is key when planning for the future. By designing an oversized home office, you’re catering to both the current demand for work-from-home spaces and the potential to use the room as an additional bedroom.
"The office is a little bigger than most studies, but we work from home a lot, and most of our clients want at least one office, if not two," Tony explains. This extra space makes the home more adaptable to future needs and adds significant value for buyers looking for flexibility.
3. Wiring for Motorized Blinds
Motorized shades have become a sought-after feature in modern homes, and it’s easier to install wiring for them during construction, even if you don’t plan on adding the shades right away.
“All the windows in the house are wired for motorized shades. Again, it’s pennies in the scheme of things, and I only put shades in about 30% of the windows,” Francisca says. Even if you don't install shades immediately, the wiring is ready for future use, adding a luxurious and functional upgrade that’s already built into the home.
4. Tons of Storage
One of the most common complaints from homeowners is a lack of storage. Custom homes with clever storage solutions not only appeal to potential buyers but also make daily life more comfortable.
Builders often overlook functional storage, but Francisca stresses its importance: “In order to build a house that looks modern and minimalistic, you still need to have storage. We design homes with great storage solutions because people love storage, but they don’t want to see it.” This attention to both style and functionality ensures that your home is appealing and practical.
The Architect House, Great Falls, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders
5. Mirror Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor living is in high demand, and incorporating functional outdoor spaces that mirror indoor rooms is a great way to increase the value of your home. Whether it’s an outdoor kitchen, dining area, or lounge space, buyers are drawn to homes where the outdoors feel like an extension of the indoor living space.
Francisca explains, “Every room on the main floor has a mirrored outdoor space—bedroom with a hot tub, living room with an outdoor kitchen, and so on. People want outdoor spaces, so we have to make sure they’re part of the architecture and not an afterthought.” Well-designed outdoor spaces are now a major selling point in custom homes.
6. Low Maintenance Materials
Homebuyers today prioritize low-maintenance living. People don’t want to spend weekends cleaning or repairing their homes, which is why using durable, low-maintenance materials is essential for both comfort and resale value.
“We’ve gone back to designing low-maintenance homes,” says Tony. “The exterior siding is Nichiha, an engineered fiber cement product, and the outdoor flooring is porcelain, which doesn’t need power washing. Inside, we used quartz countertops instead of granite because they require less upkeep.” By using high-quality, low-maintenance materials, you’re not only reducing the amount of time homeowners need to spend maintaining the home, but also increasing its appeal to future buyers.
7. Functional Kitchen with Minimal Wall Cabinets and More Drawers
Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in any home, both for day-to-day living and for resale value. Francisca and Tony focused on designing a functional, minimalistic kitchen that not only looks beautiful but works well for everyday use.
“There are minimal wall cabinets in our kitchen, and we installed tons of drawers to allow for more windows,” Francisca says. This creates a brighter, airier space while maintaining functionality. When buyers walk into a kitchen with plenty of natural light and smart storage solutions, they’re more likely to see it as the heart of the home.
Future-Proof Your Home: Smart Design Choices to Boost Resale Value
Even if you're building your forever home, keeping resale value in mind is crucial. Things can change, and being smart about your home’s design ensures that it will be attractive to future buyers. Incorporating features like solar-ready wiring, flexible office spaces, ample storage, low-maintenance materials, and mirrored outdoor living spaces will help your home stand out in the market.
At AV Architects + Builders, we believe in designing homes that not only fit your lifestyle but also maximize long-term value. Schedule a Discovery Call today to learn more about how we can help you design a home that’s built to last, both in functionality and resale value. For more tips and inspiration, visit our Learning Center.
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