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HOMES PLUS JUNE 2017 2 Fo r m o re i n fo r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t B e t h Wa l s h a t 414 . 3 3 3 . 5 8 5 3 o r v i s i t w w w. Fox L a k e Vi l l a g e . c o m Speculative Homes Under Construction Now 42 N EW LOTS AVAI LABLE NOW $5,000 Discount for Addition #2 Lots Reserved Prior to 8/1/17 • 23-acre water feature • Fully improved homesites with city sewer and city water • Homesites from $89,900 and speculative home/lot packages from $415,900 • Waterfront homesites available Enjoy the best of all worlds in this community as you discover the beauty of nature, as well as the conveniences that the City of Waukesha provides. The Kathryn Ranch $444,500 2916 Makou Trail, Waukesha ★ Open House on Sat. & Sun. from 12-4 ★ Exceptional design prevails in this new 3BR/2BA ranch home available now with immediate occupancy. Open concept great room/kitchen with painted cabinetry and huge island. Partially exposed basement with 9' poured walls and large windows. MLS#1498576 252362003 Distributed by: ©2017 by Conley Media Waukesha County Homes Plus is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Homes Plus Volume 6 ■ Number 6 ■ June 2017 K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! WE OFFER: NORCRAFT CABINETRY MID CONTINENT CABINETRY OMEGA CABINETRY DYNASTY CABINETRY WOODLAND CABINETRY 255764001 We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment Make an appointment today and learn about the new trends and cabinet specials. Although the design of a new home is a personal statement, most people give at least some thought to market appeal. For this, the most important aspect is the kitchen. A great kitchen adds real value. A November 2016 article on Realtor.com reported that 69 percent of its home listings make the kitchen a central sell- ing point and that homes with gourmet kitchens sell 8 percent faster than comparable ones in the same ZIP code. Those gourmet kitchens are hot. Houzz.com asked 2,700 homeowners about their prod- uct and design preferences and found strong demand for "super kitchens" that serve as the cen- ter of family life. The reason? Nearly two-thirds of homeown- ers spend three or more hours per day in the kitchen on activi- ties that include cooking, din- ing and entertaining. With the range of activities going on in kitchens, people are adding more features than ever. These include oversize islands, homework spaces, TVs, wine refrigerators, and built-in cof- fee makers. And with the growing popu- larity of decks and other out- door spaces, nearly two-thirds of homeowners want kitchens that open to those spaces, whether that opening is a slid- ing glass wall system or just a single-entry door. Who wants what Of course, these preferences aren't monolithic. For instance, the Realtor.com article noted that they vary at least some- what by region, with people in New England more likely to spend money on large kitchens than Midwesterners, who put greater emphasis on affordabili- ty and efficient layout. And homeowners in the Southeast are more apt to settle for a smaller kitchen if that means they can keep a formal dining room. What homeowners want also varies by age group, especially when it comes to design styles. Millennial homeowners (ages 25 to 34) tend to be fans of con- temporary and farmhouse styling while baby boomers (ages 55 and older) are drawn more to traditional designs. Millennials also spend more on pantry cabinets or islands, which are part of that farm- house aesthetic. Color choices vary by age group as well. "Younger buyers are more likely to keep resale value in mind and tend to choose neutral wall colors and white cabinets," says Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. "White also lightens up the kitchen and makes it feel bigger." When it comes to surface materials, homeowners value durability and ease of use. They want countertops that can take the heat of a hot pan, and floor- ing they can stand on for long periods without fatigue. Virtu- ally all are interested in built-in storage, with homeowners pri- oritizing this "over all other functions of their kitchens," according to the study. While some appliance manu- facturers are touting high-tech features, homeowners seem underwhelmed — a mere 5 per- cent opt for an oven they can control remotely from their smartphone. Durability and looks are more important, with 72 percent of homeowners opt- ing for stainless steel. It seems like some things never go out of style. Source: Tim O'Brien Homes What homeowners really want in entertaining — the super kitchen

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