Home offices top new-home buyers' wish lists
A survey of new-construction buyers finds strong demand for home offices, hobby rooms and playrooms, giving agents new ways to spotlight flexible spaces.
Home offices topped buyers' wish lists in a 2026 Homes.com survey of 3,036 recent and prospective new-construction buyers, with 74% identifying the space as an important feature.
Nearly half wanted a second home office, a preference that rose to 65% among buyers shopping for properties priced above $2 million.
Demand for dedicated spaces extends beyond working from home. Hobby rooms appealed to 63% of respondents, followed by playrooms at 60%. Interest in playrooms varied by generation, with 63% of Gen Z buyers wanting one, compared with just 14% of baby boomers in the survey.
Buyers also expressed interest in secure areas for package deliveries and having a second washer or dryer.
Some homebuyers need room for extended family, with 18% citing multigenerational living as a reason for their home search.
Source: Good Housekeeping (09/29/26), Brianna Lapolla
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