Design Your Custom Home Your Way with Walters Homes
Q&A with Walters Homes Design Expert Danielle Edreff
Designing a custom home is a chance to create a space that is truly your own. You’ll want your new home to include all the most recent innovations, features, and little touches that show your personality. To make sure that happens, you’ll need a custom home design partner who can capture and create your vision for your dream home.
Walters Homes has over three decades of experience designing quality homes in Ocean County, New Jersey. Our clients meet with Design Consultant Danielle Edreff in the Design Center in Barnegat, New Jersey, where she works with their unique lots, budgets, and wants. We spoke with Danielle to find out what customers can expect from their Walters home.
Learn How Walter Homes Designs Dream Homes With Danielle Edreff
At what point do buyers meet with you to select their options and upgrades?
“We set up an appointment soon after they sign a contract because there is a lot of ground to cover, and it usually requires two meetings. The first meeting can take up to three and a half hours and another two hours for the second meeting, depending on the amount of custom work that they are looking to do.”
What are the hottest upgrades that appeal to customers designing new homes at the Jersey Shore?
“The top three areas we’re seeing are customized kitchens, smart home wiring, and elevators.
“Kitchens have become a centerpiece in new homes, and this is an area where people will typically splurge. They’re customizing to suit their needs, whether its roll out shelves, crown moldings on cabinets, tile backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, appliance garages, or painted wood cabinets.
“Smart homes are another big trend. To automate their homes, customers will install safety and security systems, such as Nest, which offers a variety of high-tech products. These systems can include cameras and alarms, which can be accessed from an app on your phone.
“We’re also seeing a trend toward elevators because many of our Shore homes are raised nine feet, which adds a full story. Elevators have become a convenience that appeals to all age groups. Since it’s a higher-priced option, they don’t have to install it right away — they can set aside space for an elevator into their new home design.”
Are there other changes which buyers can incorporate into their design but can complete on their own post-construction?
“Outdoor showers may not make the final cut when choosing upgrades, but they’ll have us do the rough plumbing and add the shower later. We also do a lot of ceiling fan pre-wires as well as indoor and outdoor lighting and outlets.”
Which standard features offered in the base price of a Walters Homes do homeowners love?
“Most of our buyers tell us that our standard options are very impressive, and you don’t have to upgrade to have a beautiful home. We offer granite kitchen countertops, hardwood floors in the main living areas, ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, and Anderson windows. In my opinion, everybody is on a budget, and whether it’s $5,000 or $150,000, our standard features will save them money so they can splurge on other amenities they may want or need.”
Are customers aware of the unique features and benefits of building an ENERGY STAR® certified home?
“Over the last five years, buyers have definitely become more educated about energy efficiency. Walters builds homes to ENERGY STAR® specifications, making them up to 30% more efficient than any typical new home built today. One of the most important features in our homes is the ENERGY STAR® HVAC system, which not only saves energy — it also makes a home more comfortable.”
Looking at outdoor spaces and exterior options, what’s on the list of must-haves on the Jersey Shore?
“Almost everyone adds at least one deck and sometimes two to three if their new home is on the water because it’s where they will be spending their time, enjoying the view. We can also add smaller fiberglass balconies on a second floor. But generally, people are opting for bigger decks and choosing materials such as composite AZEK or vinyl.
“Another popular choice is Cedar Impressions for exterior siding on homes. It’s a high-end product that’s made of vinyl but replicates the look of real wood siding, and it’s available in a variety of colors and textures.”
We appreciate Danielle for taking the time to answer these questions. Do you have questions that we couldn’t answer here? Let us know via social media so we can help you.
Get started on the path to your Jersey Shore dream home with Walters Homes. Stop by one of our model homes to see some of our design work, or contact us at (609) 607–9500.
