Design That Overcomes Resales

Pro Builder’s latest Top 200 survey revealed that competition from resales is a growing challenge for home builders. This is especially true now that existing home inventory is increasing in most major metros, boosting overall supply, driving down prices and, with it, new-home profitability.

I’m personally seeing this trend as I try to sell my 25-year-old house. What’s clear is that new homes offer so much that older homes can’t.

At the New Home Trends Institute (NHTI), our consumer research gives production builders insights into what buyers are looking for but also reinforces the feedback I’m getting from realtors who have toured my home with their clients: the kitchen is too small, there’s no backyard, but the one-bedroom carriage house over the garage is a plus.

The Kitchen

Our kitchen may have all new appliances and two-tone cabinets, but offers only a breakfast bar and no walk-in pantry, which are two key features consumers are looking for in their homes. 

Another challenge is the layout. It has the traditional triangle, but it only fits one person comfortably and, according to NHTI research, in most households, it’s nearly as likely that one person is doing the cooking (48%) as it is that two are (43%).

Our recent report on kitchens clearly indicates it is a deciding factor for buyers and renters alike who enjoy cooking, want to gather there, and value storage. 

Mine misses the mark, which makes it a dealbreaker for many.

But at Casa Fresca at Two Rivers in Zephyrhills, Fla. (above),and Shawood at Somers Bend by Sekisui House in Temecula, Calif. (top of article), the kitchens include multiple features that buyers desire, including  an island and a walk-in pantry. They are also laid out to support multiple people utilizing the space at the same time while allowing people to gather along the island.

The Backyard

I actually love that our house doesn’t have a backyard. We have a beautiful front yard (below) with a spacious front porch and a side deck that is big enough for gatherings, the kids to play, or for my little corgi to run around. We’re also on a cul-de-sac where we often gather with other families.

But most buyers today are looking for a back yard for their big dogs or kids to run around or for a hot tub or even just to have the space.

While increased density is making it more difficult for any homes to have back yards, the model at Aria Crossing by Beazer Homes in Henderson, Nev. (below), offers a shallow yard that’s deep enough for gathering or a garden and multiple patios and some green space.

Taylor Morrison’s model at Mason Woods in Cypress, Tex., (below) keeps it simple with a covered patio, while 120-foot-deep lots give consumers a lot of outdoor space to enjoy and customize.

The Carriage House

The huge highlight of our home is the one-bedroom carriage house, one of the main reasons we bought it, knowing my mom would live in it when she retired. It has proved to be a highlight for potential buyers, too, to serve as a fully equipped apartment for a family member or as a short- or long-term rental as an extra a source of income.

House Beautiful recently declared that “ADUs Are the Hottest Real Estate Trend of 2025,” and many in our industry, including NHTI, see Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) popping up in more houses among a wide range of prices in markets across the country as more municipalities embrace them to enable housing affordability.

Carriage houses over garages at Midtown at Nexton in Summerville, S.C., by Ashton Woods and Shea Homes' Fresco collection in Ventura, Calif (see below, resp.) can function as an office or fitness studio, space for a multigenerational suite, or even a source of rental income. 

While my home will eventually sell, I found it fascinating how NHTI’s research highlights the opportunities to differentiate new homes from resales and encourage what your salespeople should build up and focus on when pitching to potential buyers.