The National Association of Home Builders surveyed nearly 400 builders earlier this year about features they were most and least likely to include in homes and communities.
Most likely :
1. Walk-in closet
2. Laundry room
3. Low-emissivity windows
4. Great room
5. Energy star appliances
6. Energy star windows
7. Ceiling 1st floor 9′
8. 2-car garage
9. Programmable thermostat
10. Granite countertop
Least likely :
1. Outdoor kitchen
2. Laminate countertop
3. Outdoor fireplace
4. Sunroom
5. Two-story family room
6. Media room
7. Two-story foyer
8. Walking/jogging trails
9. Whirlpool tub in master bath
10. Carpeting on main level
Features most likely to last :
1. Solar panels – With their increasing availability and affordability, solar panels are going to be the next big thing.
2. Garages – People love garages for storage space even if they don’t put cars in them.
3. Additional bedrooms – We have boomerang children, we have aging parents, we have caregivers who live with us, so we need the extra space.
4. Decorate aging in place features – They include decorative handrails in bathrooms, higher toilets and step free showers.
