What's in with home buyers
This list of home-buyer preferences was compiled by Mark Nash,
Chicago author of five books on real estate. The list of what's in is based on a survey of 923 real estate agents, managing brokers and association executives who responded to a survey request in Agent to Agent ezine, which is published by Nash. His ezine is distributed monthly to real estate professionals in all 50 states and Canada. Upscale garages: It's no longer the out-of-sight-out-of-mind dumping ground. Today's garage owners want them decked out with cabinet and storage systems, mini-refrigerators, insulation, heating and air conditioning and durable but residential-looking flooring. Man caves and Mom caves are coming out of the closet. Personal dedicated space for one person in a household is space where one can work on projects or "chill" without being disturbed and, if so, only in an emergency. Two home offices: Rising gas prices and commuting times have created more two-work-at-home families. Size matters, so make sure each is at least 10-by-10 feet. And because home offices are on the rise, those who work from one need more than a coffee shop or hotel lobby to hold business meetings. Look for alternative work spaces that bridge the home office with hourly rentals of conference room-type spaces that offer technology and privacy. Rejuvenation rooms: A one-stop space for exercising, meditation, yoga, sauna and fancy steam showers. Showers are going upscale, too. Waterfall fixtures, programmable temperature and water flow are the next trend for people who prefer showers. Heated patios, walkways and driveways: Northern Baby Boomers are tired of shoveling and are looking for ways to decrease winter maintenance. Also, many have discovered how heating the patio can add an extra couple of weeks to enjoy the outdoor "room" in spring and fall. Snoring rooms: Offered as options in new homes, snoring rooms are second bedrooms adjacent to master bedrooms to offer relief from the spouse who is a "buzz saw." A snoring room is a welcome alternative to the couch and a godsend for millions of relationships nationwide. Modular housing: Many think of the outdated double wide as the typical modular, but modular options and quality have exploded from the top end 11,000-square-foot home, with every whistle and bell, to the bread and butter 1,200-square-foot starter home. Low-cost, factory-built construction and quick conception to foundation times, make this the affordable wave of the future. Sustainable design is based on three areas; energy conservation, indoor air quality, and resource conservation. Viewed as New Age in construction circles, sustainable design looks at homes holistically, and not just a group of unrelated systems thrown together. Natural forms of energy, such as wind, solar and geo-thermal, if available on site, are maximized. Structured wiring is right up there with all the buzz about green homes. It's now a must-have for technology-savvy home buyers. Coaxial TV cable (RG-6), Category 5E voice and data lines, distributed radio and remote camera security are wired throughout a home into multi-outlet boxes called in the trade "home network centers." Different finishes: Matchy-matchy is out in kitchen design. The new look is to have stained-wood base cabinets and painted-wood upper cabinets. The Old-Europe look rules, but with today's appliances. Glass tiles have been rediscovered because, compared to ceramic tiles, glass tiles reflect light and add a glisten and glow to kitchens and bathrooms. The cost difference is minimal. Drawer-style refrigerators/freezers and dishwashers. Buyers love the design flexibility, and they're perfect for contemporary kitchens with only base cabinets and open shelves above. Engineered-stone compound countertops are less expensive than granite and available in a variety of colors and finishes. This synthetic alternative to nature will be cutting edge in 2007 kitchens. Exotic and reclaimed woods. Recycled wood salvages from soon-to-be-demolished buildings and eco-friendly rosewood is in growing demand as homeowners strive for individualism and earth-friendly materials. Luggage rooms: Today's on-the-go families need a space for stashing all their luggage. Harried travelers want it all in one place so they can find the right pieces at a glance to suit a specific trip and the new airline regulations. Bolder, deeper colors for house trim, such as shutters, doors and window frames. Professional color forecasters have predicted this as the next big trend. A second laundry in the master bedroom. Walk-in closets are everywhere, so why not put a laundry where the dirty clothes pile up? These secondary wash-and-dry spaces popped up in 2006 and are sure to go mainstream among homebuyers' wishes in 2007. A wrought-iron fence, as opposed to wood or a chain-link fence, says luxury to homebuyers.
Many elements must work together to create a remarkable room. There is the color scheme, furniture, decorations, and of course, the rug on the floor. Don't overlook the significance of the one thing that could tie the whole room together! Shopping the Internet for rugs opens up a new world of opportunities. MoreA custom kitchen requires careful planning of many details in several different areas. Finding the right contractor for your project and communicating your plans ensures the contractor understands your needs, style, and desires before the project starts. More Some of us are lucky enough to have a pool. If you are even luckier, you get to enjoy that pool year round. But then, pool maintenance never takes a break. Follow these daily, weekly, and other maintenance tips to keep your pool looking great. MoreNow that spring has arrived, a lot of people are itching to get started on their home improvement projects. But where can you turn to find a good contractor? More Homeowners love to decorate their houses - inside and out. But hanging pictures on the wall in your living room is a lot easier than hanging a planter on your siding. More Winter is here and with rising fuel costs, the U.S. Department of Energy is already warning that heating bills will be higher this year. Want to cushion the blow to your wallet? There are some things you can do to make your home more energy efficient before winter arrives. MoreYour bathroom is ready for a major overhaul. Where do you begin? You saw a great vanity you'd love to have. The old tile floor looks terrible, yet you don't know how you want to replace it. You want the commode moved but you don't know if that's possible ... the list goes on. MoreNow that spring is upon us, a lot of people are starting to think about those home improvement projects they put off last year, and how they're going to pay for them. More While many assumed that paper was on its way out as scheduling and planning was relegated to electronic devices and desktop computers, they were wrong. Computers certainly play an important role in daily business and personal planning, however... MoreA custom kitchen requires careful planning of many details in several different areas. Finding the right contractor for your project and communicating your plans ensures the contractor understands your needs, style, and desires before the project starts. MoreWhether it's extra bedroom space, a new den, a playroom or just a quiet spot to call your own, finishing the basement is one of the greatest ways to improve cramped living. Any basement has a few unique characteristics that must be considered to ensure that the space functions well for your needs. More In the spirit of David Letterman's much-loved Top Ten lists, interior designers and industry experts share their predictions as to what will be hot in home décor in the coming year. More Decorating the nursery is not just about getting one major chore out of the way before the baby arrives. The nursery's décor makes a statement about the relationship the parent hopes to cultivate with the child - warm and loving, fun and stimulating, soothing and secure. MoreThe crib of your dreams is purchased, assembled and in place. Tiny clothes, burp clothes, bath towels and diapers are stored in a new dresser/changing table. All the nursery needs now is the baby - and a few accessories to add the finishing touch. MoreFrom choosing a name to attending birthing classes and stocking a nursery, impending parenthood can be overwhelming. Getting the nursery in order before the baby arrives is a good way to relieve at least one of the big stressors in the lives of new parents. More Perfectly manicured, emerald green lawns flanked by floral beds. Acres of granite counter top and gleaming stainless steel appliances. And everywhere you look are surfaces clean enough to eat off -- that's the appeal of the model home. More & Much more @ |