What do homebuyers want now?
Home designers and builders speaking at the International Builders Show held recently in Las Vegas reported that today's buyers want cost-effective features and don't want things that have no lasting value. That sounds like a smart idea.
Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group here in San Antonio says that it's all about family togetherness - casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces.
Avid Ratings conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences. Paul Cardis, CEO, says that these are the new must-haves for buyers:
- Large kitchens with islands
- Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
- Home offices
- Main-floor master suite
- Outdoor living space
- Ceiling fans
- Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
- Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
- Community walking paths and playgrounds
- Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable
I like all of these must-haves, particularly #7 and #10.
~Realtor Magazine via MarketWatch writer Steve Kerch
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Shirley Parks, Broker
Sands Realty, San Antonio TX
210-414-0966
Hablamos español.
As an SRES® designee, I have received additional education on such topics as tax laws, probate, estate planning, equity conversion strategies, and can offer you information on current market trends as well as valuable resources regarding real estate transactions.
Here they want a new house with water views and beach access for less than the land costs.
LOL Heath, I'm not surprised!
Hi Gary, I have seen the 3 car garage trend here in San Antonio as well.
I like the idea of outdoor living areas. During good whether we spend much time outside. Our son does concrete outdoor bars, specialty concrete and they are beautiful for outdoor entertaining.
You get what you pay for. And if you have the money to spend then home buyers shouldn't have no problem getting what they want. Its the one who wants to buy a big brand new house at a very low price. Thank you for sharing this Shirley. Great post.
You get what you pay for. And if you have the money to spend then home buyers shouldn't have no problem getting what they want. Its the one who wants to buy a big brand new house at a very low price. Thank you for sharing this Shirley. Great post.
Howdy and Evenen Shirley
I'm sure Carl and Ceil about, outdoor liven areas. I had a friend in Colorado, he had a 12 car garage. He owned a lot of antique cars, all the way back to model A's and T's.
Hi C&C, I like spending time outdoors if the weather is nice with low humidity.
Hi Lanre, It's true that you get what you pay for.
Hi Dale, I've never seen a 12 car garage!
Hi Shirley... I have been reading so much lately about the trend away from McMansions and toward living smaller that I wonder how many of the larger themed "desired" features like 3 car garages, large kitchens with islands and large bathrooms will be out of style in the near future. I guess time will tell!
Great post Shirley--- we are seeing all those things out here in re-models and the new developments-- it's always good to know what's hot! Thanks for the post! Kathy
Shirley- I love my home. I have a few things on the list, lol.....Ceiling fans and solid 4 sides of brick.
Great post. Reblogging now.
Here in California, "Outdoor Living Space" has become very popular. My own house is fairly small, but I have a wonderful backyard, that makes up for it in living space.
Shirley, I didnt think it was necessary to have a 3 car garage until I ran out of room. My garage is not filled with stuff, but after you park both cars in the garage (which is a MUST with this Texas weather), you find yourself with not so much room. I think the one thing I would change is the garage.
It doesn't surprise me that home offices are still big on the list - We need space for all the computer 'stuff'!
Debi
No surprise the kitchen is the most important room in the house!