Mike Thomas: Porches, large kitchens tops for home-buyers

If you’re looking for a new home, you’re probably considering the essential features on your must-have list. Do you wonder if other home buyers are looking for the same things?

A recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders reveals what consumers look for when house-hunting. The survey asked first-time buyers and existing homeowners about the features they consider essential in their next home.

The survey shows that now, more than ever, future homeowners want to have a connection to the outdoors and ample space in the kitchen. The must-haves for the outside of a home include exterior lighting, garage storage, front porch, patio and landscaping. Popular interior must-haves included a walk-in pantry and table space in the kitchen. Three kitchen features stood out in the survey as growing in popularity in the past 10 years – built-in kitchen seating, outdoor kitchens and quartz or engineered stone for kitchen countertops.

Buyers also look to technology to ensure safety and comfort while at home. Among the top tech features sought out are security cameras, wired home security systems, programmable thermostats, video doorbells, multizone HVAC systems and energy management systems.

In addition, the survey found that buyers are shifting their preferences on home size and overall design preferences. The average size of a new home continues to inch smaller – dropping from 2,479 square feet in 2022 to 2,411 square feet in 2023, the smallest average size in 13 years. The change in square footage represents home builders’ efforts to match buyer preferences for smaller homes.

Mike Thomas is 2024 president of the Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Large kitchens, outdoor spaces key for home buyers, survey shows