Cincinnati's Hyde Park neighborhood is an excellent location for building your custom home. Forbes dubbed the upscale area one of ‘America’s Best Neighborhoods’. The neighborhood offers a great balance of commercial amenities within a cozy, village-like atmosphere.
These sought-after community features make Hyde Park a popular location for custom-built homes. The area is a great fit if you want to live in a safe, comfortable, and family-friendly location.
The home building process is very detailed, and you want to make sure to maximize your investment. To get started, consider the ten tips outlined below. You’ll find useful details for working with a Hyde Park builder, making interior design choices, and much more.
1. Know the must-have criteria for hiring a Hyde Park builder.
Choosing the best home builder for your needs is your first priority. You work closely with builders every step of the way, and a positive experience is crucial when creating a custom home in Hyde Park. Look for builders that:
Provide both quality and value.
Understand your unique needs and preferences.
Offer finance programs or work with diverse budgets.
Have many home customization options available.
Pay close attention to detail before, during, and after the building process.
Communicate consistently and provide updates.
Do your homework and don’t feel rushed when making your decision. Consider making a list of questions to ask home builders, too. Use these common questions to get started:
‘How many homes have you built in the area?’
‘Are you licensed and/or insured?’
‘Do you offer a new home warranty, and what are the details of the warranty?’
‘Can you estimate how long the building process will take?’
‘How and when is the total cost of my home determined?’
‘What is the inspection process throughout the construction of my home?’
‘How do you address potential issues that need to be corrected?’
‘Do you have examples of prior work or model homes I can see?’
‘How do you communicate throughout the design and building process?’
Don’t hesitate to get as much information as possible. A great connection with the home building company you pick is worth the time and research.
2. Select integrated kitchen appliances for style and efficiency.
Integrated kitchen appliances are built to maximize space while enhancing your home’s interior style. These appliances feature designs to match the aesthetic of your kitchen.
Instead of basic black, white, or stainless-steel finishes, you can choose from stunning finishes and designs that complement your kitchen cabinets and counters. Popular integrated kitchen appliances include:
Refrigerators
Freezers.
Dishwashers.
Ovens.
These home appliances feature unique store-away designs to increase space and efficiency. They are tucked away and unobtrusive yet easy to access and use. Modern examples include:
Refrigerators that are flush with your cabinets.
Stacked oven units that are built directly into the wall.
Dishwashers tucked behind cupboard-style doors.
Pull-out freezer drawers for beverages and small items.
Consider buying integrated appliances for a seamless, modern, and spacious kitchen layout. Discuss your choices with your Hyde Park builder to see what’s ideal for your new home.
3. Choose Hyde Park builders with experience creating outdoor living spaces.
Outdoor living spaces are an excellent way to make the most of your property. You can maximize living space, have more room to entertain and increase the resale value of your home.
It’s necessary to pick Hyde park builders that have experience with creating outdoor living spaces. They will expertly utilize available outdoor space, so your investment is truly worthwhile.
Examples of fashionable and modern outdoor living spaces include:
Outdoor dining areas.
Outdoor kitchens and bars.
Fireplaces and firepits.
Outdoor entertainment/media rooms.
Enclosed porches for year-round use.
Jacuzzis and spa-inspired rooms.
Patios and porches with retractable walls.
There are plenty of ideas to suit every budget and style preference. Hiring builders who are well-versed in outdoor living spaces will ensure your investment pays off.
4. Explore these convenient and modern lighting styles.
There are dozens of trendy lighting options to consider for your custom home. You want to select lighting that’s compatible with your home decor and unique room designs.
Fortunately, there are dozens of great modern lighting styles that are convenient and stylish. Consider some of these trendy choices:
LED track lights for under-the-counter lighting.
Recessed spot lighting fixtures for kitchen workstations.
Dropped fixture lights for dining areas.
Ornamental wall sconces for hallway lighting.
Automatic lights for pantries and large closets.
Motion-sensor floodlights for your outdoor property.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution for high-quality home lighting. Your home building team can help you pick the ideal lighting structures for your custom home in Hyde Park.
5. Choosing the right floor plan for your needs is a must.
Creating an ideal floor plan for your custom home can be tricky. The floor plan you select should suit your lifestyle, practical needs, and aesthetic preferences. Your floor plan should also highlight the best assets of your home.
The Hyde Park builders you work with will make the process easier. You should have the freedom to select from a broad variety of floor plans. Keep these tips in mind when browsing your options:
Make sure your floor plan incorporates outdoor aspects like natural lighting in the main living areas.
Mix and match modern and traditional designs for a truly unique layout.
If you have children, keep safety and visibility in mind when picking a floor plan.
The flow of your floor plan should offer convenience. For example, choose a layout with a seamless transition from the kitchen to the dining room.
You’ll need to determine whether a single-level or two-story plan suits you best, too. Discuss the pros and cons of your floor plan preferences with your custom home builders. Their knowledge and experience will help you choose the most beneficial layout possible.
6. Keep site features in mind when choosing a home building location.
Before choosing a homesite for building, discuss some critical features with custom Hyde Park home builders. It’s important to determine if any site features may increase the time and money spent on home development. Ask questions such as:
‘Is the property sloping or at an incline?’
‘How is the soil quality of the property?’
‘Are there any zoning issues?’
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for wet soil, utility deficiencies, land erosion, and more. These site features aren’t easy for the untrained eye to spot, but experienced home builders can locate and avoid them.
The land you choose may affect your design choices. This makes it equally important to discuss style-related features of the site. Start with these questions:
‘How close will neighboring homes be?’
‘What style(s) are other homes in the neighborhood?’
‘Are there any trees on the property for natural shade?’
‘Does the area have mandated design guidelines or restrictions?’
More specific questions will be based on your personal preferences. Be as thorough as possible before the building process begins. This will ensure your new dream home is built in the most high-quality, durable, and stable location possible.
7. Consider bonus rooms when planning new construction in Hyde Park.
Bonus rooms or flex rooms are a major style trend for modern homes. These rooms do not have a designated permanent function. They simply offer extra space that can be easily changed throughout time.
Bonus rooms are ideal for individuals and families who want a home that ‘grows’ with them. Some popular ideas for these adaptable rooms include:
Playrooms for young children.
Gaming rooms for teens.
Secondary living rooms or entertainment areas.
In-home movie theaters.
Hobby rooms for crafting, painting, etc.
Homework or study rooms for students.
Home offices.
In-home gym or exercise room.
The function of your flex room(s) is entirely up to you. Get creative and think beyond the basics to create a bonus room that truly improves your lifestyle.
8. Utilize shelving and storage to maximize living space.
New home decor trends maximize storage in unique and stylish ways. Spacious pantries, large closets, and generously sized attics are all in-demand. You can easily combine functionality with your desired aesthetic.
Shelving and hidden storage options are equally trendy and efficient. It’s easy to get creative with this type of storage. Some popular examples include:
Corner shelving for storage/display.
Benches and seating with hidden storage designs.
Storage units hidden underneath staircases.
Floating shelves for storage/display.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
Open racks for stylish hanging storage.
As an added benefit, extra storage can offer a great return on investment. You can determine which storage ideas suit your new home by brainstorming with Hyde Park builders.
9. Know the benefits of building an energy-efficient home.
‘Going green’ is far more than a trend, and it’s easy to see why. An eco-friendly home enhances value and comfort while reducing your carbon footprint. The numerous benefits of energy-efficient homes include:
Reduced allergens and mold for better air quality.
An increased return on investment.
A higher resale value.
Reduced water, heating, and cooling costs.
Improved temperature regulation.
Reduced greenhouse emissions.
A significant amount of detail and planning goes into creating an energy-efficient home. From wall insulation materials to household appliances, every detail can make a big difference. The Hyde Park builders you work with can help maximize the eco-friendly components of your custom home space.
10. Ask about long-term services offered by your Hyde Park builders.
Your home building journey doesn’t end once construction is complete and the keys are in your hand. Newly built homes often have minor yet necessary details to address over time.
For example, you may notice a window that’s difficult to open. These details are easy to miss during your final walkthrough, but they should still be remedied by your home building company.
Reputable home builders offer home reviews after some time - usually 30, 60, or 90 days. You’ll typically receive forms upon move-in that you can use to note any small issues you discover. These details should be promptly taken care of during the follow-up home review.
Drywall inspections are also crucial for newly constructed homes. Over time, settlement occurs and can cause minor cracks in drywall. Ask your home builder if they offer drywall inspections to ensure any cracks are repaired as soon as possible.
Takeaway
Hyde Park neighborhood offers the perfect balance of classy and cozy, full of rich amenities, and considered safe and family friendly. It’s truly the ideal place for your new home in Cincinnati.
To get the best possible experience, work closely with a building company that specializes in custom homes in Hyde Park. Experienced and knowledgeable home builders ensure that your investment leads to amazing results.
Keep the ten tips above in mind when choosing a builder and designing your dream home. From practical matters to aesthetic details, these factors cover all of the important bases.