What’s ‘In’ with Buyers? Natural Light, Outdoor Spaces
ORLANDO, Fla. – A desire for natural lighting and functional outdoor spaces rule many homebuyers’ list of features, according to the 2022 Home Design report by the remodeling platform Fixr.
The report surveyed 47 home designers – and 98% cited natural lighting as their clients’ most preferred home feature, followed by home offices (96%) and usable outdoor spaces (92%).
Experts believe that natural lighting coincided with homeowners’ desire for more energy-efficient thermal insulation (86%) and HVAC systems (75%).
However, pandemic preferences such as swimming pools, solar panels and smart home features were cited by just 18%, 20%, and 43%, respectively.
“By creating a functional outdoor living space, you have more usable areas on your property to enjoy,” the report noted. “This can allow you to entertain, relax or exercise without having to go anywhere, increasing enjoyment in your home.”
The report also found that the average homeowner spends about $3,500 to transform their spare room into a desirable work-from-home space.
Other features preferred by homeowners include home security systems (76%), spare rooms (68%), privacy features including automatic blinds and fences (63%), and multi-use garages (42%).
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research, and legislative representation to about 225,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Newsroom website is available at floridarealtors.org/newsroom