A study by the National Association of Home Builders identified which features homeowners are happy to do without in a new home.
Elevators remain a niche feature for remodelers and builders that focus on accessibility and mobility. Two-thirds of respondents said they do not want an elevator in their home. Since over three-quarters of respondents surveyed by NAHB had purchased or were shopping for a single-family home, that’s not too surprising.
Another feature whose unpopularity may be attributed to the high representation of single-family homebuyers is green roofs. NAHB found 50% of buyers do not want a roof either partially or wholly covered with plants.
Denver is requiring green roofs on certain buildings including residential buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. However, like elevators, green roofs remain a niche offering for single-family homes.
[Read more about green roofs in our sister publication, Colorado Patio & Landscape.]
Homeowners also rejected wine cellars (57%), pet washing stations (49%) and dual toilets in the master bath (48%).
Materials that homeowners crossed off their must-have list include cork floors (47%) and laminate countertops (46%).
[Related: Engineered quartz overtakes natural stone in kitchen remodels]
Community features that homebuyers expressed little interest in include daycare centers (50%), golf course communities (47%) and high-density developments (46%).
Danielle Andrus was previously the managing editor for Colorado Builder, and is currently Editor for the Journal of Financial Planning.
Good information. my only contradiction is granite tops are still a very desired item. “Engineered quartz” looks too production. Been building since 1977.