Often builders rely on data from surveys provided by companies such as Avid Ratings Company (www.avidratings.com) to keep up to date on would-be buyers preferences. The overall consensus is that lot of current homeowners plan to be more practical next time around. "People are willing to live in less square footage, but it has to be livable" according to Carol Lavender, President of Lavender Design Group (www.lavenderdesign.com), based out of San Antonio, TX. Avid's survey also concluded that there has been a "huge transition" toward "green" features like high-efficiency appliances, windows and insulation. Here are some of the findings provided by Avid Chief Executive Paul Cardis, from a recent study of more than 22,000 owners who purchased in the last 9 years:
- Community clubhouses are not a big deal anymore
- Health clubs that people end up using very little can be eliminated
- Swimming pools, golf courses and dog parks are no longer a great desire
- Children's playgrounds and walking paths are essential
- Large kitchens with islands are still strong must-have
- Formal dining rooms, upstairs laundry rooms and home theaters aren't necessities
- First time buyers, vacation-home buyers and custom-home buyers rank 2 car garages, home offices and main floor master bedrooms high on their list of wants
- Oversized showers with overhead shower heads and seating was preferred over a master bath with a whirlpool tub
The information provided in this blog came from an article written by Lew Sichelman published in LA Times Business Section
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