The housing market is on fire right now. According to data from the National Association of Realtors, 5.51 million existing homes were sold in the United States in 2017, and 612,000 new homes were sold. But what homebuyers want changes from year to year. Here are some of the most popular home trends that real estate agents are seeing for 2018.
Open living spaces
This trend can be seen all across the country, and it is very prevalent on multiple home improvement television shows. According to a National Association of Home Builders report published last year, 84% of people want their kitchen-family room arrangement to be completely or partially open. Also, at least 54% of respondents want their main living spaces to be completely open.
Outdoor living areas
Homeowners love to extend their living area outdoors. In a recent Houzz study, 56% of respondants were updating their yards to make them more friendly for entertaining. Patio decks with furniture, outdoor kitchens, wet bars, fireplaces, and pools are all features that homeowners are adding to their yards so they can be the hub of the neighborhood when it comes to entertaining.
Customization
Many homeowners are looking to make their home fit exactly their style. Well, they no longer want to tear down walls and paint existing walls. According to author and building industry coach Mike Moore, 53% of buyers prefer new to resale. Buyers want to be involved in the building process and select options and upgrades before they move in instead of making the changes after they settle in the house.
Luxury kitchens
In 2018, homeowners want large, inviting kitchens that open up to their living areas. Galley kitchens are a thing of the past now as kitchen islands with tons of storage are appearing in more and more homes. When homeowners throw a party, their guests gravitate towards the kitchen, so they want their kitchen to be spectacular.
“My philosophy is every house sale is very important to that person,” says Brian Frere of Keller Williams Realty. “In most circumstances, the sale or purchase of a home is probably the largest personal financial transaction that person goes through in their life.”
For this reason, home trends are extremely important to follow because every homeowner deserves to have exactly what they want in a place they call home.
