Kimball Hill has future on display

Wondering what homes will be like in the years to come? The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently came out with its list of what may be found in homes in 2015.

Kimball Hill Homes offers many of the features right now.

Dual master suites

The NAHB says that by the year 2015, most homes will have two master suites. While this is something buyers have been increasingly requesting, Kimball Hill Homes say this future feature is directly linked to demographics.

"Most buyers requesting two masters are either Boomers or buyers planning to live a long time in their home. Having at least one of the master bedrooms on the main floor creates single-level living," said Jack Wexelberg, regional president for Kimball Hill Home.

"Today, about 25 percent of the population is in the 50-plus age bracket, but by 2015, that's expected to be more like 40 percent. So it makes sense that as our population ages, the dual master suites will become more prevalent," he said.

Higher ceilings

The home of 2015 will raise the standard on ceiling heights -- literally. The NAHB says most main floor ceilings will measure nine feet, and there will also be an increase in two-story foyers and family rooms.

Separation in the bath

By 2015, the bathroom will have gotten a makeover, too, says the NAHB, with more homes having compartmentalized toilets and separate tubs and showers. Wexelberg said Kimball Hill is incorporating these features.

Exterior elements

According to the NAHB, the home of 2015 will resemble the homes of the 1950s -- brick, stone and a front porch.

"There is a strong movement toward building communities and fostering relationships among neighbors, and front porches are kind of symbolic of that," said Wexelberg.

Technology

The NAHB says more communities will be linked by fiber optics, which are thin fibers that transmit signals through light. They are less expensive to produce, yet faster and more reliable than traditional cable wires. Fiber optics allow for things like more cable channels to be transmitted, clearer signals and phone lines, and faster Internet connections.

Another benefit of fiber optics is that they can run off lower-power transmitters, which saves electricity.

Wexelberg said Kimball Hill's master-planned community of Settlers Ridge in Sugar Grove incorporates fiber optics throughout the community.

"It's one of only a handful of communities in the country using this technology," he said.

For more information, sales center hours and driving directions to any of Kimball Hill Homes' communities, visit www.kimballhillhomes.com or call (800) 355-5945.