Americans are starting to want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday's most popular rooms -- such as home theaters -- from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles. While the ecomony woes of the world haven't exactly hit our little central PA community, we are still a bit unsure of our housing future here.
Buyers today want cost-effective architecture, plans that focus on spaces. The key for home builders and remodelers is finding the balance between what buyers want and the correct price point.
For many buyers, their next house will most likely be smaller than their current one. Large kitchens that are open to the main family living area, old-fashioned bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and small spaces designed with creative storage may be sought after. They will also look for homes that envoke feelings of family and togetherness. Spaces should reflect casual living, entertaining, and the ability to be adaptable to other uses.
Top 10 "must haves" in new or remodeled homes.
1. Large Kitchens, With an Island
If you're going to spend design dollars, spend them where people want them -- spend them in the kitchen. Granite (or other high quality stone) countertops are a must for move-up buyers and buyers of custom homes.
2. Energy-Efficient Appliances, High-Efficiency Insulation and High Window Efficiency
Among the "green" features touted in homes, these are the ones buyers value most. While large windows had been a major draw, energy concerns are giving customers pause on those. The use of recycled or synthetic materials is only borderline desirable.
3. Home Office/Study
People would much rather have this space rather than, say, a formal dining room. And the home theater may also be headed for the scrap heap, a casualty of the "shift from boom to correction".
4. Main-Floor Master Suite
This is a must feature for empty-nesters and certain other buyers, and appears to be getting more popular in general. That could help explain why demand for upstairs laundries is declining after several years of popularity gains.
5. Outdoor Living Room
The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow. And the idea of an outdoor room is even more popular than an outdoor cooking area, meaning people are willing to spend more time outside.
6. Ceiling Fans
7. Master Suite Soaker Tubs
Whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, but they clearly went down a notch in the latest survey. Oversize showers with seating areas are also moving up in popularity.
8. Stone and Brick Exteriors
Stucco and vinyl don't make the cut.
9. Community Landscaping, With Walking Paths and Playgrounds
Forget about golf courses, swimming pools and clubhouses. Buyers in large planned developments prefer hiking among lush greenery.
10. Two-Car Garages
A given at all levels; three-car garages, in which the third bay is more often then not used for additional storage and not automobiles, is desirable in the move-up and custom categories.
