During a press conference at the International Builders’ Show, panelists discussed current home trends and the home preferences of Millennials as they begin to enter the home buying market in larger numbers. According to the panel, homes will get a little smaller, laundry rooms will be essential, and home technology will become increasingly prevalent.
NAHB Assistant Vice President of Research Rose Quint shared the results of two surveys: one asking home builders what features they are most likely to include in a typical new home this year, and one asking Millennials what features are most likely to affect their home buying decisions.
Of the Top 10 features mentioned by home builders, four have to do with energy efficiency: Low-E windows, Energy Star-rated appliances and windows and programmable thermostats. The top features: a master bedroom walk-in closet and a separate laundry room.
When NAHB asked Millennials what features fill their “most-wanted” shopping list, a separate laundry room clearly topped the list, with 55 percent responding that they just wouldn’t buy a new home that didn’t have one.
