Back in March, I posted a 2-part blog on 9 tips to compete with new construction. Part 1 and Part 2 (This was after studying the reports, comments and PR around the Home Builder’s Show in Florida.)
Yesterday, my husband shared an article from ‘The Bottom Line’, where they had interviewed Kermit Baker – the chief economist for the American Institute of Architects. Did you all know that they interview 500 architecture firms quarterly to identify trends in remodeling and new construction? Good eh? The information
that’s out there, if you only knew where to look! (http://www.aia.org)
Some of the trends, we have all talked about for a bit now – smaller homes, green elements, “zoned” backyards, open floorplans, emphasis on kitchens and baths. There is even talk that 3,500- to 4,500-square-foot homes might hold their value better than huge 6,000-square-foot mansions!
Other trends that caught my eye, I thought I’d share:
KITCHEN ENHANCEMENTS
Kitchen recycling centers. As more towns offer (or insist on) recycling in addition to trash removal, more home owners desire a dedicated but inconspicuous space in or near their kitchens for recycling bins. This is typically a concealed area under a kitchen countertop or in a mudroom or laundry room.
Natural stone (such as granite) or concrete countertops. Solid, attractive and durable, these countertops continue to be in high demand -- with natural soapstone gaining in popularity as an alternative to granite. It has a warmer feel, with soft, subtle blue-gray colors, and deep scratches can be sanded away.
Restaurant-look appliances. Large, expensive, stainless steel -- trimmed cook areas, refrigerators and other appliances are becoming more and more popular for residences.
Wine fridges. More Americans are drinking wine and installing wine fridges. They're still a specialty item, but one that's rapidly becoming common.
BATH AMENITIES
Two of everything in the master bath. Couples with more money than time to spare are no longer willing to wait for a partner to be done in the bathroom. They're installing two vanities... two sinks... even two shower stalls in the master bath.
Radiant heat in bathroom floors. This comfort feature, which uses embedded systems with heated water or electricity to warm the floor, is rapidly gaining popularity, though it is not yet mainstream.
On the decline...
Whirlpool tubs. Once a mainstay of American master baths, whirlpool tubs are rapidly losing popularity. Home owners say that they take up too much space in the bathroom, are difficult to clean and that the whirlpool feature is rarely used.
BACKYARD LIVING
Home owners increasingly wish to enjoy time outside without losing the comforts of home. Popular features now...
High-end backyard landscaping. There was a time when home owners sank their landscape budgets into their front yards so that their homes would look nice from the street. Now they are just as likely to pour dollars into their backyards, to create beautiful, private outdoor places for the family. Large decks and patios. A deck or patio large enough for the whole family, rather than just a small add-on, is becoming an essential part of the home. Gazebos and courtyards also are gaining popularity.
Outdoor cooking stations. These upscale, outdoor kitchens -- some of which include sinks and even refrigerators -- are replacing the traditional backyard barbecue.
Privacy screening. Americans are spending more time in their backyards, but the average yard size has shrunk. This makes fences, walls and hedges that provide additional backyard privacy more valuable.
GREENER HOMES
Environmentally friendly homes are finally finding favor with mainstream Americans. High energy costs for heating and cooling mean that energy-efficient homes make even better financial sense than before... and Americans are increasingly interested in protecting the environment even when it doesn't lower their bills. Among the popular green-home design features...
Bamboo floors. Home owners who select bamboo can have the look and durability of traditional hardwood flooring without contributing to deforestation. Most hardwood floors come from forests that take decades to regrow once cut down. But bamboo is not a tree at all -- it's a type of grass that regrows very quickly.
Triple-glazed windows. Three panes of glass can add $4 to $7 per square foot to the price of a new window but can cut energy consumption by an extra 10% to 11% compared with typical double-paned windows. Reduced home size in the high-end market.
On the decline...
Two-story entrance foyers. With more houses being built with nine-foot- high or even 10-foot-high first-floor ceilings, the energy-and-space -- hogging two-story entrance foyer is not seen as the necessity it once was in mid-level and upper-end homes.
INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY
Older home owners tend to prefer residences that are easy to get around. It's no surprise that we're seeing increasing demand for accessibility features now that the baby boom generation is reaching retirement age. These include...
No-threshold showers. Stepping over a high tub wall onto a slick surface can be dangerous for aging home owners with hip, leg or balance problems. Easy-access showers that don't require this big step are becoming a popular choice. Other shower features gaining momentum: Handheld showerheads... door-less shower stalls... and even two-person showers.
Residential ramps and elevators. These are no longer just for public buildings. Older home owners are adding ramps to their entryways, and they even are installing in-home elevators when stairs become too much of a physical challenge.
Single-level layouts. Stairs and elevators are not necessary when all the rooms in a home are on one level. When small lot size makes a single-story layout impractical, today's home owners still like to locate the master bedroom on the first floor, with the other bedrooms upstairs.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Gaining momentum today are........
Home offices. There has been a huge increase in the demand for home work spaces in recent years. Flexible office hours that let employees work from home one or two days per week and high gas prices that make commuting expensive appear to be driving the trend. Home offices differ from spare bedrooms mainly in that they tend to be located in the quietest corners of the home, away from children's bedrooms, television rooms and kitchens. They also might have additional electrical outlets or specialized telecom wiring. Three-car (or larger) garages. Americans own more vehicles than in the past and prefer homes that have space for all of them.
Open floor plans. Home owners increasingly believe that one large "great room" is preferable to separate living, dining and family rooms. Many of today's homes, in fact, are being built without a "living room" at all, and formal dining rooms are losing popularity.
Locations close to urban centers. Living near cities, employers and train stations is becoming more popular. Many home owners like these locales because they trim commute times and gas expenses. Other home owners prefer the engaged, active lifestyles offered by urban centers to the "get away from it all" advantages of gated communities and more isolated suburban properties.
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Juliet Johnson Staging services the luxury real estate market of New Jersey. Home Staging NJ for the last 6 1/2 years, this firm has sustained an average of 21 DOM during the Summer of 2008 in multiple towns with multiple homes!!
