REAL ESTATE NEWS

Builder group lists Top 12 amenities in an average home

May 19, 2015, 8:05 AM | Updated: Mar 4, 2016, 5:46 am

Master bedroom walk-in-closets and a laundry rooms are the top features that builders are most likely to include in a new home this year, according to a survey of builders conducted by the National Association of Home Builders.

“Both features speak to improving organization and storage characteristics of new homes,” according to NAHB on its Eye on Housing blog.

Greater energy efficiency amenities also were ranked important with low-E Windows coming in No. 3 on the most likely amenity list on new homes. Energy-Star rated appliances and windows as well as programmable thermostats also rated high.

The following were ranked as the most likely features and amenities to be included on an average single-family home in 2015:

1. Walk-in closet in master bedroom
2. Laundry room
3. Low-E windows
4. Great room (kitchen-family room-living room)
5. Energy-Star rated windows
6. Ceiling height on the first floor of 9 feet or more
7. 2-car garage
8. Programmable thermostat
9. Granite countertop in the kitchen
10. Central island in the kitchen
11. Bathroom linen closet
12. Front porch

On the other hand, the features identified in the survey as the most unlikely to be included in new homes this year are:

1. Outdoor kitchen (cooking, refrigerators and sinks)
2. Laminate countertops in the kitchen
3. Outdoor fireplace
4. Sunroom
5. Two-story family room
6. Media room
7. Two-story foyer
8. Walking/jogging trails in the community
9. Whirlpool in the master bathroom
10. Carpeting as the flooring on the main level

Real Estate News

Kipp Robertson

Home prices around Seattle may be directly linked with transit

Trying to find a home for what passes as a reasonable price in King County is proving to be more and more difficult.

8 years ago

(AP file)...

Tom Kelly

Living longer: How to handle the mortgage

Increased life expectancy brings many unavoidable consequences and concerns as the risk of running out of money in our lifetime has increased dramatically.

8 years ago

tiny house...

Tom Kelly

How to build, buy and finance a ‘tiny’ home

Everybody knows conventional homes are expensive, especially in the Puget Sound region. Are tiny homes a realistic alternative?

8 years ago

No Author

Can you throw good money after bad in a hot market?

What does it mean to throw good money after bad in real estate? What about the idea “get in the door at any cost” now while you can?

8 years ago

home values ridgway...

Tom Kelly

The effect of crime – and celebrity – on home values

Is there ever an uptick in value following a celebrity crime? Suicide? Who typically buys a "stigmatized" home and how does crime affect home values?

8 years ago

seattle housing, rental, home buyers...

Kipp Robertson

Seattle is getting more interest from foreign investors

Figures from a Chinese website shows property buying inquires from foreign investors shot up in August compared to August 2015. Meanwhile, inquiries in Vancouver, B.C. dropped 81 percent in August.

8 years ago

Builder group lists Top 12 amenities in an average home