News > Home Trends for 2010

Home Trends for 2010

Spring is a season for fresh starts. A time to take a deep breath and ponder new possibilities. For many consumers, spring has also traditionally been a time to move forward on plans to purchase a first home, or upgrade to a larger space. Even as people around the country eagerly anticipate warmer and sunnier days, it's clear that this spring's real estate market will continue to be tempered by economic uncertainties. Concerns about job security may be preventing many consumers from pulling the housing trigger, but it certainly hasn't stopped them from dreaming about a future home.

Those dreams are closely examined by builders, architects and designers of home spaces. To survive the current economic downturn, these professionals must be highly attuned to which home features and preferences will prompt consumers to open their wallets. More than ever, staying in business requires appealing, economical housing solutions.

Buyer's representatives, on the other hand, must listen to buyer–clients one at a time–understanding individual preferences and helping buyers find the home of their dreams. That said, it's also helpful to share your knowledge of larger consumer trends with your clients. After all, most buyers want to make sure that the home they purchase now will hold strong appeal to a future buyer once it's time to sell.

With this in mind,Today's Buyer's Rep is examining the latest research and opinions on housing trends. Fewer, Smaller, Less Expensive are the buzz words.

To understand today's housing trends,it's helpful to first review some recent facts about the residential construction industry. Housing starts began declining in 2006 and have yet to show any significant rebound. Among the new homes that have been built, at least through the first half of 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that no matter how you look at the data, new homes are definitely smaller.

Implications for Home Design Even though today's homes are smaller, builders, architects and designers insist that they don't necessarily have to feel smaller. Indeed, some consumers actually prefer a smaller home, complaining that some houses had grown to excessive proportions. Susan Slotkis, a New York City – based interior designer and educator says she has witnessed a backlash against the McMansion craze. "Just as driving a Hummer carries a negative connotation in some circles, living in a space–wasting, energy–guzzling home is not desirable," explains Slotkis. "Homeowners are still interested in the 'wow' factor, but there are other ways to achieve it."

10 Most Likely Features that builders will include in 2010

1. Walk–in closet in master bedroom
2. Laundry Room
3. Insulated Front Door
4. Great Room
5. Low–E Windows
6. Linen Closet
7. Programmable Thermostat
8. Energy Efficient Appliances and Lighting
9. Separate Shower & Tub in master bedroom
10. 9–Foot Ceilings or higher on 1st floor

"In today's environment, builders are very focused on giving homebuyers more bang for their buck," says Stephen Melman, NAHB Director of Economic Services. "There's a prime emphasis on good design that helps homes feel larger by raising overall ceiling height, adding more light through windows, and using space more efficiently." Whole– House Efficiency NAHB research finds that "efficiency" has become a buzzword for virtually every aspect of new homes. It has meant the death of the two –story family room atrium, for example, which Melman concedes "may have gotten too large and could easily feel a little noisy and lacking in privacy." Instead, the trend is now towards one–story multi–functional space. Open floor plans are still desirable, but with a scaled–back approach. Kitchens, eating areas and family rooms are open and connected, catering to busy families that want optimal useable living space from their home. Food prep,entertaining, homework and relaxing can all be accommodated in a cohesive layout that relies on strategically–placed architectural details or area rugs to define where one area begins and another ends. Storage elements, including laundry spaces and mini mud rooms help bring much–desired order to life at home. And the quest for efficient homes doesn't stop with floor plans. Curbing energy consumption is also a high priority among builders, with an insulated front door, low–e windows, programmable thermostats, and energy–efficient appliances and lighting all making their top–ten list.

Consumers are reluctant to give up full-featured master bedrooms. Builders have signaled their intentions to continue meeting this demand by including walk–in closets and a separate shower and tub in new master bedroom suites. "You probably won't see multiple shower heads," says Melman. "But most consumers still want the master bath to feel like a small oasis, providing features that are a significant step above other bathrooms in the home." Also count on walk–in closets to remain. In fact, they are the number one feature cited by homebuilders for inclusion in new construction this year.

What's NOT on the list? If new homes will be built with an eye towards affordability and efficiency, which home features will not be included? Builders say that an outdoor kitchen is first to go. Other features that they cite as being least likely to include in 2010 are an outdoor fireplace, a sunroom, a butler's pantry, and a media room.

Source for the article is January 2010 National Association of Home Builders Survey of Builders.

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