[News & Insights](https://hbrama.com/news-insights)# Home Buyer Preferences Shift Post-Pandemic

March 7, 2023      [For Homeowners](https://hbrama.com/for-homeowners) 

Home buyer preferences have continued to shift home building trends following the height of the pandemic. The National Association of Builders (NAHB) expects home size and amenities in homes to [grow in 2023](https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2023/02/top-features-and-design-trends-for-2023-highlight-post-pandemic-shifts) — a reflection of the preferences of those who can afford higher interest rates — before dropping again in 2024 as affordability improves with lower mortgage rates and more buyers re-enter the market.

Not only is housing affordability evolving post-pandemic, but so are home buyer preferences. For example, NAHB found that the demand for more flexible and better-equipped home spaces is rising. The changing tastes apply to first-time and repeat buyers — most of whom prefer an open-kitchen family room, which can be reconfigured and better utilized to provide more space for additional rooms.

According to the most recent study of NAHB’s [*What Home Buyers Really Want*](https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2023/02/top-features-and-design-trends-for-2023-highlight-post-pandemic-shifts), other home features that resonate with both first-time and repeat home buyers include:

- Laundry rooms
- Exterior lighting
- Ceiling fans
- Patios
- Walk-in pantries
- Hardwood flooring on the main level

Home buyers are also interested in how their home can support their well-being and how it interacts with the outdoors. As a result, walking paths and other outdoor spaces connected to homes have become increasingly popular. Buyers also seek natural materials in their new homes and other [biophilic design options](https://bestinamericanliving.com/2022/06/bringing-nature-indoors/); a style focused on bringing nature indoors. Builders also saw tremendous demand for exterior amenities — such as patios, decks and porches — in 2022, along with home offices, reflecting post-pandemic work-from-home trends.

In terms of the space buyers are seeking, NAHB found that the average size of a new home dropped slightly from 2,525 square feet to 2,480 square feet in 2022, and the percentage of new homes with 3 or more full bathrooms and at least a 3-car garage dipped to 33% and 17%, respectively. Meanwhile, the percentage of homes with 4 or more bedrooms rose slightly to 48%, partly because of the flexibility that bedrooms can provide.

If you’re looking for a new home or would like more information on design trends, contact your local association, [**here.**](https://hbrama.com/local-associations/)

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