Home buyers seek larger houses, more amenities

by Ann Bucy

SBJ Contributing Writer

Four-bedroom homes with two living areas and three-car garages: "These are things that people consider standard items anymore," said Sue Wyas, co-owner of Wyas Construction with her husband, builder Harold Wyas.

Harold Wyas has been building homes in south and southeast Springfield since 1987.

He's built residences in Oak Knolls, Spring Creek and Well Creek subdivisions among others. His most recent project is located in Emerald Park.

Sue Wyas said one thing she's noticing in the local market is how homes are

getting pricier. "We're working on a spec home (built for the open market, as opposed to a custom home for a client)

now that will sell in the upper $400,000 range."

She attributes the rising cost to the price per square foot of new construction, the price of land and the amenities people now want in their homes.

The typical amenities these days, she said, include intercom systems, media rooms, inground sprinklers, 10- to 12-foot ceilings, hardwood or tile floors, and granite countertops in the kitchen.

While Harold Wyas oversees the building, along with subcontractors, Sue oversees the homes' interiors. She picks out the paint, tile, the design of the fireplaces and kitchens, the hardware for the faucets, the cultured marble or granite for the countertops, and whatever else needs to be done.

According to Sue Wyas, the typical Wyas-built home has an open floor plan with light colors and hardwood floors.

The couple plans to continue to build homes in this area for years to come, she added.

"The Emerald Park development will be completed in a year and a half to two years," Wyas said. "We'll need to look to the future to see what we'll be doing after it's completed."

Although their HBA Fall Parade of Homes entry is already under contract, the Wyases will have an open house for their current project, located at 4267 E. Lori-Lei Court, during the parade.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Wyas Construction's parade home is located at 4267 E. Lori-Lei Court in Emerald Park. The home is featured on page 40.[[In-content Ad]]