Americans want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday's most popular rooms -- such as home theaters -- from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles….. Buyers today want cost-effective architecture.  



So, what made the home buyer’s top ten?

1) Center Island Kitchen, granite continues to be popular

2) Green – energy efficiency, appliances, windows, etc.

3) Home office study, supposedly more popular than a formal dining room; would you prefer a home office to a formal dining room?

4) Main floor master bedroom, upstairs laundry is moving downstairs. As far as resale this depends on the style and size of the home. In my experience, families with young children prefer the master to be on the same level as the other children’s bedrooms.

5) Outdoor great room, personally I think a back yard kitchen with built in barbecue is more desirable in our sunny climate

6) Ceiling fans – I just don’t understand this one, if they are so desired I think someone can certainly install one or several. They may be popular but in twenty years of selling real estate, I have never had a buyer put this on their wish list

7) Spa tubs still popular but the focus is on oversized soaking tubs

8) Stone and brick exteriors – nix on Stucco! Have to disagree here as well, the Spanish or Mediterranean style home is still among the most requested among my Southern California home buyers.

9) Community landscaping with walking paths.  Again, I disagree, buyers in my (neighbor) hood often request walking neighborhoods; destination walking remains highly sought after.

10) Two – three car garages

Related Posts:

2009 Home Buyer Preferences 

Over indulgence is out for 2009 

Outdoor cooking areas add resale value to your Los Angeles home

How large of a home do you really need?

The downsizing of America