Americans are changing the way they live and reevaluating the old fashioned features of the home. Today’s home buyer wants a smaller house in this economic climate and builders are responding. According to Heather McCune from Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Illinois, most home buyers want cost effective architecture, focus on space and not rooms, and some also want homes that are designed “green”.

A recent survey conducted by AVID Ratings Co. found the top 10 must haves in a new home:

  1. Large kitchens with an island
  2. Upgraded slab countertops, granite or composite
  3. Energy efficient appliances, insulation and windows
  4. Home office/study
  5. Main floor master suite (for the aging population)
  6. Outdoor living room
  7. Master bath soaking tubs
  8. Stone and brick exteriors (wood is still popular in California)
  9. Community landscaped walking paths and playgrounds
  10. Two car garages

The “California design” with the kitchen open to the main living area is becoming more common with the current casual living style coast to coast while we have seen that trend for a long time here in California. Here we are about family, entertaining, environment.

 

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr