A four-bedroom home, larger than 200 square metres, with two bathrooms and two living areas was number one on the ‘wish list’ for Generation Homes clients in 2012. However, three-bedroom homes were the most popular as budget constraints ultimately played the biggest part in defining building trends.

Generation Homes CEO Kevin Atkinson says the gap between the number of three-bedroom houses built compared with four bedrooms is closing, regardless of the housing affordability crisis in several New Zealand cities.

In 2012, 48% of Generation Homes’ customers built four-bedroom properties, while 49% built three-bedroom and 3% built five-bedroom houses.

Kevin Atkinson says the days when people want a stock standard three-bedroom, one-bathroom home are gone. If budget allows, people prefer a larger home with more bedrooms and bathrooms and are willing to sacrifice the latest hi-tech products or expensive finishes to get that.

Many families are choosing to future proof their home and like the added benefit of more space for a games room, study or entertainment room.

Generation Homes directors from around the country said women in 2012 were most concerned with the kitchen layout, choice of appliances and the colour scheme. They also noted a definite trend towards sculleries and larger ovens. Although many of the Generation Homes plans do not include a scullery there were more requests than ever for upgrade plans to incorporate one.

Home stylist Jennifer King from House Couture who advises Generation Homes, says the end of 2012 means goodbye to the dark tones of greys and beiges that have been predominant over the last few years and 2013 heralds a swing back to whites and creams.

She says House Couture has started to see bright colours making a comeback, particularly citrus – green, orange and aqua. Jennifer advises that when building or renovating, it is important for the home to be marketable, while still incorporating the latest trends. She suggests using neutral tones which have a wide appeal, but add a burst of colour through accessories like cushions, vases and throws.

Other trends in 2012 included walk-in tiled showers, wall hung vanities, triple car garages and a strong focus on outdoor entertainment areas.

Consumers can now get better and more extensive advice on the building process with the opening of Generation Homes’ first residential building concept store.

The company opened the new store, named the ‘Showroom’, in West Auckland to allow visitors to touch, feel, interact and visualise the Generation Homes guaranteed 14-week build system.

Three TV monitors are set up throughout the store, each explaining the Generation Homes point of difference. The first TV displays footage of a standard Generation Homes build, the second gives customers a look at the variety of house plans and land for sale, while the third displays testimonials from people who have built a house with the company.  In addition, an experienced Generation Homes representative will also be on-hand to answer any questions.

Generation Homes West Auckland Director Paul Marshall says the move to this form of customer service is an important step.

He says building a home can be daunting and for many people it is one of the biggest investments they will make in their lifetime. Having a space where people can go and see first hand what is involved in the building process is a move forward to educating the public on what really happens on a building site and what they can and should expect from the process and their builder.

Paul Marshall says that when selecting a building company, people often visit a show home to see an example of a company’s building standards and designs. The new concept store is not designed to replace this model, rather it is designed to enhance it. It will give people the opportunity to thoroughly research Generation Homes’ build process, designs and land options before making the commitment to build.

He says it is the company’s aim to eventually film all the builds and before handing over the keys to the purchaser they will show them the build and how their home was created.

The ‘Showroom’ is located at Shop 1, 42 Main Road, Kumeu and is open seven days.

Generation Homes Manukau is the first of the new regions to open the doors to a show home.

The new show home opened in the popular Wattle Cove subdivision on the banks of the Manukau Harbour.

The directors of Generation Homes Manukau, husband and wife team Rod and Jess Lalich, have been directors of Generation Homes Papakura and Franklin since 2009.

Rod Lalich says they are excited to be directly involved in the next stage of expansion for the Generation Homes Group.

He says that since establishing the new Manukau office they have been given confidence not only by the most recent building consent statistics, but also by the significant amount of enquiries they have already received.