WHAT TODAY'S BUYERS WANT IN THEIR NEXT HOME

Top Requested Considerations Have Not Changed
Today buyers of new construction and resale homes are often looking for more specific "must have" features than they were just a few years ago.  And with the excessive over supply of both new builder inventory homes, foreclosure, or REO, homes and the normal market of resale home to pick from, buyers today are being rather insistent on getting what they want.

 

Surprisingly enough, the single most requested "must have" feature that over 97% of my buyers say they want is to be in located in a "good  school system.  (also see Public Schools Review). The next most requested consideration is to have the minimum possible drive time from home to work.  Many buyers, regardless of their price range, are now easy access to Denver's new light rail system that was just opened in September of 2006. Colorado residents can Receive a FREE System Map by mail!

            Denver CO - RTD Park & Ride Locations

NEW Features  Buyers Want In Their Next Home
* Buyers Want Bigger Kitchens
Buyers are spending the majority of time in their kitchens when the family or friends are together.  Kitchens with spacious eating areas are twice as large today as found in older homes.

              Modern Denver Style Kitchen

Kitchens with easy and open access to adjoining family rooms (or even more popular, two story great rooms) are the most architecturally desirable floor plan for today´s buyers.  The efficiency or galley kitchen of older homes are functionally obsolete and just as outdated as   popcorn-textured ceilings.  Buyers in even modestly priced homes are also expecting to find kitchen islands and granite or silestone quartz counter tops.

* Buyers of Upper-end Homes Want A Wine Cellar
Wine cellars have become a must-have amenity for high-end homes.
 Buyes also beleve wine cellers in larger homes have actually become a selling feature for new and existing homes.  An average cellar should hold about 1,000 bottles.

  

* Buyers Want More Bathrooms
A vast majority of buyers today are expecting more bathrooms than bedrooms in their next home.  Even in modestly price homes, buyers are finding bedrooms are serviced by adjoining bathrooms.  Five piece bathrooms are universally expected in master bedrooms today.  That is bathrooms with two sinks, toilet a separate shower and bathtub.  In higher priced homes, we are definitely seeing luxury baths including steam showers and spas.

* Buyers Want Smaller Living Rooms   Or Great Rooms.
Frequently smart builders are offering homes with either a great room and electing to eliminate the living room or they are offering a very a small living room.  Although living rooms and dining rooms are used infrequently, buyers often still have furniture for those rooms.  The tend is toward homes with larger two story great rooms and no living room at all. 

* Buyers Want More Closet Space
We just own more clothes today than in the past.  Women especially want enormous walk-in closet in the master bedroom.  Larger closets and walk-in closest are expected with secondary bedrooms as well.  Larger entry and mudroom closets are becoming standard in even moderately priced homes.

* Buyers Want Three Car Garages
Denver area homes in the $275,000 price range are now frequently offering three car garages.  Two car garages are becoming obsolete.