Custom Home

I couldn't imagine myself writing about this topic, but I realized that after couple apartments and more importantly, 3 houses, I really can offer several advices you can benefit from. Possibly more if you are building a new house.

Kitchen

• Large sink - if you have enough space, double and deep large sink is perfect...
• Granite counter-top - when we were selling our first townhouse, even though it was only 2-3 years old and looked perfect to us, all those upgraded houses were sold before ours was gone. So, granite counter-top played a big role in that, even though you could easily say, it doesn't matter. Seems, like it does.
• Ceramic tiles - we did checker board and set them up diagonally... It looks amazing for us, but mind you, it may happen that you will have to set the hardwood floors diagonally throughout the whole house (in case you have hardwood floors).
• Glass doors on your kitchen cabinets - It makes kitchen much deeper and more spacious. Real estate agents sometimes say how you have to have some special china and fine dishes, in order to have glass doors, I disagree.
• Butcher block counter-top for an island - This is amazing thing and we are very happy, but it was hard to find.
  
• Valance lights, underneath kitchen cabinets - They are mandatory. Nothing more to say about lights.

Overall

• Hardwood floors - If you are going with hardwood, and can afford to put the wide planks, put them diagonally. We put our floors diagonally and the floors look marvelous.
• Rounded edges and windows - we have lot of those and they look nice, from inside and out.
• Window seats - they are very practical
  
• Extra bathroom - instead of computer loft space, we redesigned it and put the extra bathroom. Very important for reselling the house.
• Large windows - We've extended the windows, and it's true that there is less isolation and you may notice a hit in terms of heating, but there is more light in the house
• Large skylight - We are very happy we've chosen 4 x 4 ft. skylight. Lots of light above the stairs and the house looks very bright.
• High door on a hallway closet - We haven't done this one, but would've been good!
• Raised basement floor - 9ft ceiling in the basement would've been ideal. We haven't done this one either.

These are just couple suggestions for those of you, who are in process, or considering to custom adapt your house. Some of the pics are attached.