Design Smarter: How Habitat Uses Value-Engineering to Control Costs and Elevate Communities

In today’s development environment—marked by rising material costs, interest rate pressures, and labor shortages—multifamily developers are finding new ways to maintain momentum without compromising quality. At The Habitat Company, value-engineering is a key part of how we deliver thoughtful, high-performing communities that are financially sustainable.

Featured in UNITS Magazine, Habitat’s approach was highlighted alongside other industry leaders who are using smart design and strategic planning to maximize efficiency.

Wendy Deetjen, our Vice President of the Market Rate Portfolio, shared how we’re designing for long-term value by focusing on:

• Core, high-use amenities: Co-working spaces, lounges, fitness centers, and pet areas see consistent engagement, while niche features like golf simulators often have high subscription costs with limited use.

• Flexible amenity design: Creating multi-purpose spaces—such as lounges that double as workspaces—adds value without additional buildout.

• Sustainable materials: We prioritize environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials across HVAC, lighting, acoustic systems, and more.

• Smart staffing & technology: We’ve leveraged AI to streamline pre-leasing and resident communication, saving $35,000 on staffing costs at one new development.
  

By aligning our development and operational strategies with data-driven insights and resident preferences, we’re able to build stronger, more resilient communities.

At Habitat, value-engineering isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about building smarter.