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What Today's First-Time Buyers Want in a New Home
Young home buyers have particular preferences in design. Here's what home builders should know.
By Susan Bady, Senior Editor, Design
October 1, 2009
Professional Builder
Young home buyers, particularly Generation Y, have a different perception of home that drives their design preferences. These features and community attributes will get them off the fence.
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A} Young professionals snapped up all 12 homes in this infill community in the San Francisco suburbs. The sophisticated contemporary architecture and interior vaulted spaces convey a loft-like feel. Described by the builder as "unattached townhomes," they're actually densely packed, single-family units.
Builder: Clarum Homes, Palo Alto, Calif.; Architect: EDI Architecture, San Francisco; Photo: Mert Carpenter
B} Outdoor living areas don't have to be huge, but they should be easy to furnish. Offer a fireplace as a value-added upgrade.
Builder: Simonini Builders, Charlotte, N.C.; Architect: Dominick Tringali Architects, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Photo: Michael LoBiondo
C} Clean lines, contemporary styling and neutral-color backgrounds with pops of bold color appeal to young first-time buyers. Chocolate brown contrasts with this room's white ceiling detail and acts as a backdrop for sunset-orange accents in the artwork, pillows and furnishings.
D} Gen X and Gen Y buyers "salivate over social opportunity," says Ashley Jennings of Kay Green Design. This small space is merchandised for casual entertaining, with a poker table and flat-screen TV.
Builder: Dock Street Communities, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Architect: Pegram Associates, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Interior Designer: Kay Green Design, Orlando, Fla.; Photo: Dock Street Communities
E} The kitchen and family room should be interactive spaces, defined not by walls but by details such as a breakfast bar.
Builder: Centerline Homes, Coral Springs, Fla.; Interior Designer: Kay Green Design, Orlando; Photo: Centerline Homes
F} First-time buyers look for attractive community entrances and common areas as well as amenities, says Dennis Webb, sales manager of Fulton Homes in Phoenix. "They want walking [trails], they want parks," says Webb. "At one community, we're going to be building an aquatic center."
Builder: Fulton Homes, Phoenix; Photo: Fulton Homes
G} A strong indoor-outdoor connection is essential. Here, the main living areas flow into the outdoor space.
Builder: Simonini Builders, Charlotte, N.C.; Architect: Dominick Tringali Architects, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Photo: Michael LoBiondo
H} A shed roof; wraparound porch; and mix of horizontal and vertical siding add visual interest to this affordably priced home.
Builder: Brooklynn Custom Homes, Novi, Mich.; Architect: Dominick Tringali Architects, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Photo: Les Ward Photography
I} Small touches, such as including blinds as a standard feature, are appreciated by buyers on a budget who visit ForeverHome's Raleigh-Durham, N.C., communities.
Builder: ForeverHome, Raleigh, N.C.; Architect: Frazier Home Design, Wake Forest, N.C.; Photo: Kyle Ketchel/Visual Properties
J} Townhomes typically come standard with one-car garages, if there are garages at all. Here, the two-car garage and covered front porch are included.
Builder: ForeverHome, Raleigh, N.C.; Architect: Frazier Home Design, Wake Forest, N.C.; Photo: Kyle Ketchel/Visual Properties
K} Always provide a place for young buyers to work at home, whether it's a spare bedroom or a computer desk in a loft or alcove.
Builder: ForeverHome, Raleigh, N.C.; Architect: Frazier Home Design, Wake Forest, N.C.; Photo: Kyle Ketchel/Visual Properties
L} First-time buyers were excited about the rear-loaded, two-car garages; large windows; and upper-level bonus rooms at this suburban Philadelphia townhome community. But few purchased upgrades, preferring to add them later and do the work themselves if possible.
Builder: Progressive Housing Ventures, Malvern, Pa.; Architect: Barton Partners, Norristown, Pa.; Photo: Rick Davis Photographic
M} Gen X and Gen Y buyers appreciate having a public place outside the home to entertain friends and get to know their neighbors.
Builder: Progressive Housing Ventures, Malvern, Pa.; Architect: Barton Partners, Norristown, Pa.; Photo: Rick Davis Photographic
Products They'll Ask About
N} Younger buyers have done their research and will scrutinize every feature that contributes to a home's energy efficiency, particularly windows.
Photo: Marvin Windows and Doors
O} They may not want to pay extra for a tankless water heater, but they're certainly eager to find out if it's an option.
Photo: Takagi
P} A whole-house air purification system is an upgrade that first-time buyers probably can't afford yet, but they still want the information.
Photo: Trane
Q} Modular and panelized systems and other factory construction processes appeal to generations X and Y because they reduce on-site waste.
Photo: Haven Custom Homes
R} Include Energy Star appliances in your kitchens — buyers expect no less.
Photo: KitchenAid
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Click here for photos of more design features that appeal to first-time home buyers.
© 2010, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.
