When you work one-on-one with a custom home builder to create a luxury custom home, you can personalize every detail to ensure the home meets your expectations. You retain full control over the experience, allowing you to create the custom home exactly the way you want it.

Even if you don’t plan to sell your home at some point, it will be a part of your overall net worth. So it’s important that every element, from the location to the design, adds value. Everything from flooring to outdoor upgrades can impact your custom home’s resale value.

Should you add a resort-style pool? Should you opt for a viewing tower? Should you add a mother-in-law suite? All of these features and more play a vital role in determining the resale value when appraising a custom home. 

To elevate your custom home’s resale value and provide more benefits to your family while living there, follow these simple steps.

Step #1: Choose a prime location to increase the resale value.

No matter how amazing your custom home may be, the location still matters. Fortunately, Austin is the top city in the U.S., so most areas where you choose to build, you can trust that the location will be attractive to home buyers.

When deciding where to build your custom home, think about your favorite activities. If you aspire to spend your weekends jet skiing or boating, consider a Lake Austin waterfront property, or if you prefer to go golfing with your friends, a property neighboring the Spanish Oaks or Escondido golf course may be a better fit. If you would rather have great views and raise your family away from the city, look no further than the picturesque Texas Hill Country.

The ideal location will depend on the individual home buyer’s lifestyle. All you need to do is ensure that you choose a desirable location with plenty of amenities to attract home buyers and improve your resale value during a custom home appraisal.

Step #2: Build a unique home with curb appeal to increase the resale value.

A custom build can help you achieve the look you want, whether that is a transitional or farmhouse chic style. It offers a variety of finishes and unique rooms and spaces. Nothing on the market compares to a custom home, which is why it can be challenging to determine the resale value.

To make the most of your resale value, add your own subtle, unique touches, while also considering how the build will benefit other families who may live there in the future. For instance, you could add a home theater, a hidden wine cellar, or a spacious outdoor living area for entertaining. These features will provide more value to your family and potential home buyers, which will help during the custom home appraisal.

You can also improve your custom home’s resale value by enhancing its curb appeal with luxurious features, such as a rock or brick exterior. After you’ve covered the outside of the custom home, focus on improving the kitchen, master bathroom, and master bedroom.

Step #3: Make the proper design selections to increase the resale value.

The design of your custom home is crucial. To enhance your resale value during a custom home appraisal, opt for a versatile floor plan with elegant, timeless design features. Consider whether your custom home has:

• A split floor plan
• Aging in place (specifically, no steps and a bedroom downstairs)
• Energy efficiency
• Views and privacy (preserved and maintained)
• Abundant storage (especially in the garage)
• The right colors, materials, and finishes

If your custom home lacks these design features, you may deter potential buyers who are looking for a luxury home in Austin. At Jenkins Design+Build, we conduct a thorough Lifestyle Analysis© to design a custom home that is ideal for your entire family. We will help in determining value by ensuring a proper blend between the indoor and outdoor living spaces, so you can spend time with your family and entertain at your leisure.

Your design team features luxury home experts who excel in determining value. You may consult with a design professional, such as an interior designer, to ensure that your home will appeal to home buyers and maintain a higher resale value during a custom home appraisal.

Summary

If you’re in the design-build process, take the time to do your own custom home appraisal. Ask yourself whether you are designing something that will keep or prohibit someone from buying the home later. If so, make the necessary changes to save time down the road. You can also ask the design team for advice in determining the custom home value, as they know the ins and outs of what qualities will captivate potential buyers. In the end, the investment is yours and a thoughtful approach will result in the best return on that investment.