Posted by Reyna Estrada in Home Buying

Do you find yourself thinking about what the next few years may look like for you and your family? One of the biggest things I hear is how much easier life would be if all the things homeowners need to do in their homes were located on the first floor.

1. First-Floor Living: A Top-Desired Home Feature

I am constantly speaking to families just starting out in their home buying journey. Some are looking for their first home; some are very seasoned buyers and are looking to move up or even downsize. I even speak to investors who see the value in purchasing real estate for rentals.

One of the top features homebuyers are looking for is a first-floor owner’s suite. Having the owner’s bedroom on the same level as your main living—kitchen, family room, entrance, screened porch, etc.—provides a lifestyle of ease and comfort.

It’s the perfect fit for people in many different stages of life and holds potential for your home stand out if you were to sell in the future.

Open-Concept First Floor

2. Low-Maintenance Lifestyle

In addition to a cohesive flow between all the rooms you use the most in your home, main-level living affords residents an easier time navigating throughout the space.

Stairs can be a major hazard, so without limiting independence and mobility, a first-floor living space puts everything you need right at your fingertips.

And, with our floorplans, every last square foot is intentionally designed, expertly utilizing the space in our new homes.

3. Close Off Messy Areas

Many M/I Homes home designs offer a space such as a flex room or bonus room, and our professional model home decorators have showcased these as everything from a personal craft room to a state-of-the-art home gym and everything in between.

Having a home design where the main living is on the first floor and secondary spaces such as a third bedroom or a bonus room located upstairs provides the ability to leave a project out while it is being worked on.

Rather than scramble to tidy up your creative spaces just for company, the first-floor living lifestyle means removing those spaces from view for your guests, making entertaining even easier!

Craft Room

4. Multi-Generation Living With Dual Owner’s Suites

Depending on your family’s needs, you may find a need for dual owner's suites. This is something that traditional one-level home plans do not offer, but M/I Homes provides multiple options with an owner’s suite on the first floor and another one on the second floor.

This is perfect for a multi-generational family where the grandparents’ suite is on the first floor and the parents’ room is on the second floor with their young children.

Owner's Suite

Or, perhaps you want to be on the same floor as your children when they are young, and as your children grow older and more independent, you’re entertaining the idea of giving them the upstairs all to themselves.

As life changes, your floorplan should be able to shift along with your needs!

5. Downsizing With Ease

Perhaps you’ve had that larger family home and you’re ready to downsize. If you’re concerned about how to get started, here is a great 3-step downsizing plan.

Many people are concerned that downsizing means sacrificing on things that are important to you. Will I end up with a small galley kitchen? Is my family room going to be too small for my family? Will I have to give up my luxury bath?

Homes with main-level living offer open and large spaces for entertaining, generously sized owner’s bathrooms, kitchens that foster conversation, and more, meaning the things that are most important to you are still a part of your daily life.

One-Level Home

As you peer into what the next few years of your life will look like, what will your needs be? Are you planning on traveling and seeing the world? Looking forward to not climbing a flight of stairs to go to bed at night? If so, then a home that features first-floor living would be perfect for you. Find a home design that fits your lifestyle!



Author

Reyna Estrada
Reyna Estrada

Author

Reyna Estrada has been with M/I Homes since 2008. As a National Manager of Internet Sales, the team mission is to serve our customers on their online home buying journey with speed, efficiency, and world-class service. Reyna and her family have lived in North Carolina for over 20 years, and they enjoy world traveling and volunteering in the community.

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