While every prospective homebuyer holds his or her own list of priorities and must-have amenities, a number of features pop up more frequently than others on wish lists. From open-concept floor plans and quality schools to flex spaces and dedicated laundry rooms, these elements stand particularly popular among today’s homebuyers:
1. A Dedicated Laundry Room
While the laundry area is most often confined to the basement, buyers are seeking a more thoughtful and defined laundry space, especially one located close to bedrooms. According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 2017 Home Buyer Preferences report, a separate laundry room was the single most-wanted home feature among buyers.
2. Energy Savings
From low-e windows to ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, buyers want energy-efficient features that drive comfort and reduce utility expenditures. All newly built Gallagher & Henry homes carry the ENERGY STAR label, which means each home has been designed, built, and independently tested to use upwards of 30 percent less energy each year.
3. Ample Storage
From mudrooms featuring lockers and cubbies to three-car garages and walk-in closets, buyers are placing a premium on storage spaces, which helps minimize visible clutter and contributes to a more organized home.
4. An Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans characterized by great rooms that connect kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms – and are often anchored by kitchen islands – remain high on homebuyers’ wish lists. Such spaces offer clear sight lines and are especially ideal for entertaining.
5. Flex Space
When purchasing their long-term home, buyers are increasingly prioritizing spaces that can shift and evolve with their families, such as flex spaces that can morph from a children’s play area into a home office or fitness space.
6. A Posh Master Bathroom
Seeking a respite from the daily grind of life, many prospective homebuyers place spa-like master bathrooms high on their wish lists. With walk-in showers, freestanding tubs, and special features like heated floors, buyers can gain the in-home sanctuary they desire.
7. Hardwoods
Nine out of 10 buyers prefer hardwood flooring, according to the NAHB report. In addition to offering a cleaner, richer look than carpeting, hardwood floors are more resistant to allergens, easier to maintain, and more durable.
8. An Illuminated Exterior
The NAHB report listed exterior lighting as the most desired outdoor feature, a likely result given the added curb appeal and safety exterior lighting delivers.
9. Quality Local Schools
Even for homebuyers who might not have children, high-achieving local schools remain a priority given the well-established connection between school performance and home values. Three out of four respondents to a recent Realtor.com survey, in fact, labeled school boundaries important to their home search.
10. Smart Homes
There’s an app for seemingly everything these days. From security systems and appliances to exterior lighting and comfort controls, homeowners’ interest in intuitive, user-friendly tech tools continues accelerating.
11. An Outdoor Oasis
Eager to extend their indoor living space into the Great Outdoors, buyers are looking for outdoor spaces that feature the requisite staples – namely, a deck or patio – alongside other worthy elements like a fire pit, outdoor bar, and various seating zones.
