An end-of-the-year, nationwide survey asked builders to rank a series of home features in order of likelihood they’d be included in the typical single-family home they’d be building this year. On a scale from one to five the builders – surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders – ranked everything from great rooms to media rooms. Naturally, because builders have to be aware of consumers’ preferences and needs in order to be successful, they are a good gauge of the popularity of certain home features. The results show energy efficiency and storage spaces are still the most coveted features among prospective home buyers. In fact, builders ranked master bedroom, walk-in closets the most likely feature to be included in new homes this year, with an average rating of 4.9. Laundry rooms, great rooms, low-e windows, and energy-star rated appliances rounded out the top five. Other highly rated features included programmable thermostats, central islands in the kitchen, and granite countertops. On the other hand, some of the lowest rated features included cork flooring on the main level, a pet washing station, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, laminate countertops, and two-story family rooms and foyers. More here.
