October 14, 2025

Smart New Home Construction Upgrades

New home construction is popular with families whose needs are evolving and space requirements shifting. And after walking through a gorgeous model home it can be hard to narrow down your must-haves and keep your list of options and upgrades, budget-friendly.  

And while some choices are definitely worth opting for, others are not. To identify which are the smartest, we sought the advice of Cindy Dassinger, a local real estate broker with Metro Home Finders. She counsels new home buyers on options in communities south and east of Denver – Aurora, Castle Rock, Lone Tree and Parker. With 20 years in the business, Cindy’s expertise helped us identify critical add-ins for new home buyers to consider when purchasing a new home.

STRUCTURAL CHOICES THAT MAKE SENSE

“The first thing I always tell people if they’re doing a new build from the ground up (as opposed to a spec home or quick-move in) is to look at structural upgrades — the things you cannot fix, or if you do, it’s going to cost so much money later, it’s not cost effective,” Cindy says.

Look at structural items first, Cindy explains, like three-car garages, full basements instead of the partial basements, taller ceilings, and covered patios. Why? Because to try to add those later will be much more expensive. She says structural options will offer home buyers “the biggest bang for their buck.”

ROUGH INS AND SQUARE FOOTAGE

If the builder can make the upgrade during new home construction while the house is being built now, there’s often a cost savings. Even if you absolutely can’t afford, say, an entire full finished basement, if you plan to finish it eventually, have the builder do the rough-ins. 

There is almost no incremental labor or material cost to rough-in components for mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Think about the areas and projects you might want to finish later—like a rec room and extra bedroom downstairs, or speakers for a home theater or even a bonus room above the garage — and get the rough-ins done during the build.

“Now, I know some people are not looking for additional square footage, but if they have it, they’re never going to not need it or not want it,” Cindy says. “So, if you can get an extra loft or an extra bedroom that’s only going to help you (10 or 15 years) down the line if you decide to sell.”

LOCATION AND INTERIOR OPTIONS

When Cindy talks about location, she doesn’t just mean in the most desirable areas of town. “I always say you want a house that if 10 prospective buyers pull up (to an Open House), all 10 will go inside. If you back up to a main road or commercial space or power lines, sometimes people won’t even get out of their cars. So that’s probably equally as important as finding the a lot in the right neighborhood.”

Which interior design choices are the smartest if you’re keeping an eye on the future when you might want to upsize to a bigger space, or down-size to one smaller? 

Cindy recommends “making sure that there’s a bigger footprint in the kitchen for the house size and perhaps a larger island. “Countertops and backsplashes you can do later, and faucets, hardware and light fixtures can all be changed, too – that’s fairly simple. But pantries are always really important,” she said. Don’t skimp on the pantry!

And when considering flooring options, Cindy says, future buyers may or may not appreciate wall-to-wall carpet – sometimes people automatically see a replacement cost looming. 

“I highly suggest, if you can, putting in hardwoods,” she encouraged, “also because doing it later will be a pain in the rear trying to move all your furniture!”

Most homes include the minimum code requirement for things like insulation, windows, and HVAC. But if you want a more energy-efficient home, consider installing things like Energy Star® windows and a smart thermostat now to avoid costly retrofits after your new home is completed. The extra funds spent upfront on energy upgrades can pay off over time in lower utility bills.

Stunning New Home Choices in Looking Glass

Living in the new home community of Looking Glass offers access to family-friendly activities that blend adventure, creativity, and community. Whether you’re exploring the neighborhood parks, attending cultural events, or enjoying seasonal happenings, the community and town of Parker provide endless possibilities. Visit the stunning models from new home builders: Dream Finders, D.R. Horton, and Taylor Morrison and ask about the upgrades and options that fit your budget!