Most Desired Home Features of 2022

Every year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducts a survey to determine what design features are deemed essential by homebuyers across generations. This year, there has been a significant increase in the desire for bigger homes, suburban locations, and more outdoor amenities. Here are a few key takeaways from this year’s survey.

Buyers Want Bigger Homes

Across generations, the ideal home is around 2500 square feet. In addition, there has also been a significant increase in the number of bedrooms homebuyers want. On average, buyers are most interested in homes with 4+ bedrooms and at least three full bathrooms. The National Association of homebuyers attributes these shifting priorities to the pandemic.

Outdoor Living is Back in Style

According to NAHB, the percentage of single-family homes with patios has risen to 63%. It’s clear that much more emphasis has been placed on outdoor living. Millennials, in particular, have expressed a significant interest in having a front porch. Home shoppers have also expressed an interest in exterior lighting features and patios.

Updated Home Design is a Must

Millennials and Gen Xers have started prioritizing homes with contemporary or modern exteriors. It’s speculated that this trend comes from a desire to keep homes in the family for multiple generations, on top of the general increase in popularity of these styles.

Energy Efficiency Remains a Desirable Money Saving Tool

Homebuyers have continued to prioritize energy-efficient features during the home search process. Energy star appliances, whole home certification, and energy-efficient lighting are all features that incentivize the current buying pool. After so many months spent at home, it’s clear that people want to cut heating and cooling costs as much as possible.

Most Essential Home Features

Overall, homebuyers consider these five features to be essential in their next home:

Laundry rooms
Exterior lighting
Ceiling fans
Patios
Walk-in pantries

Conclusion

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August 9, 2022 0

Top Locations for a Laundry Room

The laundry room may not be the most glamorous space in a home, but it’s a room that most homeowners want.

A laundry room appears at the top of the list of NAHB’s 2021 most essential home features. While most people are happy to have dedicated space to do laundry at home, being able to pick the perfect location for a laundry room is even better.

If you are building or remodeling your home and have the option of where to place your laundry room, we recommend considering the following:

Basement

Often, laundry rooms are found in the basement. This can be a great option for those who prefer a laundry room that is out of the way. You may also find you have more space to dedicate to a laundry room on the lower level of your home, which may be preferred if you have children or pets, or want to create space for sorting, ironing, and folding within the laundry room.

However, some people dislike going up and down the basement stairs for every load of laundry. This is especially true if the basement is unfinished, and the only reason you go downstairs is for laundry.

Main Level

A laundry room on the main level of the home is another great option. This location is more convenient for those who do not want to go up and downstairs. It also often offers easier access if you are coming inside from the backyard, and want to drop off dirtied clothing without dragging them through the rest of the home.

There are some downsides to this type of placement as well. If located on the first level, the laundry room is located in close proximity to your main living areas: the kitchen, living room, and dining room. If not tucked away, the laundry room can be noisy or become an eyesore.

Some people have a dedicated mudroom on the main level where they place their washer and dryer. This is an ideal location, as it is convenient to where you spend your time on the main level, yet far enough away that it is not a distraction.

Top Level

If you have more than one floor, you can also opt to place a laundry room on the top level of the home, which is generally where the majority of the bedrooms are. This location is extremely convenient for dropping off dirty items and putting away clean clothes, as you only have to walk a short distance to each room.

On the downside, a laundry room on the top level means you have to go upstairs every time you need to sort or switch out clothing. As most people spend the majority of their time on the main level, this can become cumbersome. In addition, you likely won’t want to start a load at night or early morning, as the noise may interfere with someone’s sleep.

Any space can become functional for laundry with some planning and organization. Finding a location that is out of the way yet convenient to get to is ideal for a laundry room.

July 12, 2021 0

Most and Least Desirable Home Features

Every year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducts a survey to determine what features home buyers look for in a home.

This year, priorities have shifted as people began to look for more space while adapting to remote working and learning.

Keep reading for more insights from NAHB’s 2021 What Home Buyers Really Want report.

Most Essential Home Features

According to the survey, in which 3,000 recent home shoppers and buyers participated in, there is a growing demand for more square footage. As people look to expand their living spaces, here are the features they consider most essential:

Home Feature	% Who Consider it Essential
Laundry Room	87%
Exterior Lighting	87%
Ceiling Fan	83%
Energy Star rated windows	83%
Patio	82%
Double Kitchen Sink (side-by-side)	81%
Walk-in Pantry	81%
Front Porch	81%
Energy Star rated appliances	81%
Hardwood Flooring	81%
Full Bath on the Main Level	80%
Energy-efficient lighting	80%

The survey didn’t stop with overall features. Below are top features, broken down by room.

Top Kitchen Features

Double sink (side-by-side)
Walk-in pantry
Table space for eating
Central island
Water filtration

Top Outdoor Features

Exterior lighting
Patio
Front porch
Rear porch
Deck

Top Accessibility Features

Full bath on the main level
Doorways at least 3 feet wide
Hallways at least 4 feet wide
Non-slip floor surfaces
An entrance without steps

Top Technology Features

Programmable thermostat
Security cameras
Video doorbell
Wireless home security system
Multi-zone HVAC system

Least Essential Home Features

In addition to noting what’s most important, buyers also provided input on what they consider turn-offs in a home. Here are the least desirable features in a home or complex:

Home Feature	% Who Consider it Least Desirable
Elevator	56%
Glass Walls	54%
Daycare Center in the Development	50%
Wine Cellar	48%
Pet Washing Station	47%
Roof partially or completely covered by plants	46%
Golf Course	46%
In-law suite	42%
Cork flooring (on the main level)	41%
Dual toilets in primary bath	40%

What features are a must-have in your next home?

March 30, 2021 1

Buyers’ Search for Energy Efficiency

Over the past year, buyers have been searching for properties with more indoor and outdoor living space, private home offices, and plenty of storage.

In addition to more space, a recent report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that buyers are also looking for energy efficiency when looking at new homes.

Top Energy Efficient Features for Buyers

The report surveyed 3,000 homebuyers and was presented during NAHB’s 2021 International Builders’ Show. As buyers search for homes, they are keeping an eye out for eco-friendly design and green features.

The top three energy-efficient features buyers look for are:

Energy Star rated windows and appliances.
Efficient lighting that uses less energy than traditional light bulbs.
Energy Star rating for the whole house.

Willing to Pay

Since energy-efficient features often result in lower utility costs, buyers consider this when buying a new home. If green features will save homeowners money toward utility bills every month, buyers surveyed said they are willing to spend more money upfront.

On average, buyers said they would pay over $9,000 more upfront for a home if it would lower annual utility costs by $1,000. Buyers are also willing to spend more than $2,000 upfront for a home certified above-code for health and wellness, which includes features such as zone heating and indoor air quality.

Homeowner Education

It’s not enough to just start installing green features into new homes. Homeowners must also know and understand how the features work. Part of regular home maintenance is ensuring that the green features are serviced and properly working. In addition, homeowners need to know how to use green features to their full potential to gain all the benefits.

Brandon Bryan, the founder of Red Tree Builders, stated,

“We’ve got to teach people how to live in green homes, how these homes operate, and even before we build to let them know what we could do because a lot of times we could do so much more for their life.”

What green features are important to have in your home?

March 16, 2021 0