What Today's First-Time Buyers Want in a New Home

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.

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.

Builder: Fidelity Homes, Venice, Fla.; Architect: The Evans Group, Orlando, Fla.; Interior Designer: Kay Green Design, Orlando, Fla.; Photo: Pollux Photography

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