Builder Survey Reveals Most Desired Home Features

Today’s homeowners want more storage and increased energy conservation in their homes.

Those are two of the top home features according to a recent survey of home builders by the National Association of Home Builders. In the survey, builders are asked what they are planning for in the next year.

As a custom home builder in Ocala, we at Luetgert Development like to share the latest home building trends with our clients and readers of this blog. Keep on reading for more about the latest trends in home construction.

Bigger Is Better

Bigger is better, seems to be the trend among recently built homes. The average new single-family home has a median size of 2,485 square feet – the largest size in the last 40 years. In comparison, owner-occupied homes in 2013 had an average of 1,800 square feet. According to the NAHB, the larger home trend is due to the lack of first-time home buyers, who typically can only afford smaller homes.

More and More Storage

We demand more storage! For anyone who’s ever wanted more closets or storage space at home, this trend is likely no surprise. Builders reported including the following features in new homes: a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, a separate laundry room, a kitchen island, linen closets in the non-master bathrooms and, of course, a two-car garage. While great rooms were rated high on the list by builders, separate home offices and a living room ranked lower.

Save Energy, Save Money

More and more of today’s homeowners are looking for energy-efficient homes and home features. At the top of the list for home builders is Low-E windows. These are windows which provide great insulation against heat and cold. These were followed by Energy Star-rated appliances and windows, as well as programmable thermostats. Installing insulation greater than required by code and a multi-zone heating and cooling system also ranked high.

What’s In, What’s Out

According to the survey of home builders, hardwood floors are at the top of the list, while cork floors ranked last. Granite countertops are hot in the kitchen, but laminate countertops are out. And in the bathroom, a shower stall and separate tub beat out the whirlpool bathtub. Front porches outrank patios, which outrank decks.

What do you think about these home features and trends? Contact us if you have any questions about this article.