As the spring home buying season kicks into full gear, the home building industry celebrates New Homes Month in April. If you’re looking for a new home, you’re probably considering the essential features on your must-have list. Do you wonder if other home buyers are looking for the same things?
A recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals what consumers look for when house hunting. The survey asked first-time buyers and existing home owners about the features they consider essential in their next home.
The survey shows that now, more than ever, future home owners want to have a connection to the outdoors and ample space in the kitchen. The must-haves for the outside of a home include exterior lighting, garage storage, front porch, patio and landscaping. Popular interior must-haves included a walk-in pantry and table space in the kitchen. Three kitchen features stood out in the survey: NAHB noted that in the past ten years, built-in kitchen seating, outdoor kitchens and quartz or engineered stone for kitchen countertops have grown in popularity.
Buyers also look to technology to ensure safety and comfort while at home. Among the top tech features sought out are security cameras, wired home security systems, programmable thermostats, video doorbells, multizone HVAC systems and energy management systems.
In addition, the survey found that buyers are shifting their preferences on home size and overall design preferences. The average size of a new home continues to inch smaller — dropping from 2,479 square feet in 2022 to 2,411 square feet in 2023, the smallest average size in 13 years. The change in square footage represents home builders’ efforts to match buyer preferences for smaller homes.
To learn more about the latest features available in new homes, contact www.hbrama.com.
