What's Hot and What's Not in Home Design

Mark Nash, the Chicago-based real estate broker who penned 1,001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home (Thomson/South-Western, 2004), has released a list of home features that remain popular among buyers and those that are no longer in vogue. His list is based on responses from more than 900 real estate professionals nationwide.

For example, practitioners surveyed reported that the inability to keep stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinets, and vessel-style sinks clean has caused them to fall out of favor with buyers. Also, spiral staircases have become less popular, particularly among buyers with young children.

As for what's "in," Nash found buyers are increasingly looking for some of the following features in homes:

• Glass bathroom and kitchen tiles.
• His-and-her home offices complete with fiber-optic cables for Internet connectivity.
• Wood floors — except for those made of bamboo, which is not as durable.
• Extra storage space in the form of linen closets, pantries, and luggage rooms.

With a large supply of unsold homes on the market, the practitioners surveyed noted that buyers have become pickier and expect homes to be in move-in condition.

So, what are the things that you are looking for in a new home? Do you favor stainless steel appliances, or another color? Why so? What about wood floors (or some other surface) vs. carpet? What else is important to you, and why?

Tell us!

Source: Washington Post, Kirstin Downey (01/06/07)