A family sits in the snow as the woman and child hold a snowball.

2 Surprising Things Homebuyers Want

In a market where current inventory is low, it’s normal to think buyers might be willing to give up a few desirable features in their home search in order to make finding a house a little easier.

Don’t be fooled, though – there’s still an interest in the market for some key upgrades. Here’s a look at the two surprising things buyers seem to be searching for in today’s market, and how they’re impacting new home builds.

Snowy lane between rows of detached garages, with prominent blue doors in the foreground.

Homebuyers Are Not Giving up Their Garages

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released an article showing the percentage of new single-family homes completed in 2018. The data reveals,

  • 64% of new homes offer a 2-car garage

  • 21% have a garage large enough to hold 3 or more cars

  • 7% have a 1-car garage

  • 7% do not include a garage or carport

  • 1% have a carport

The following map represents this breakdown by regionU.S. map infographic comparing parking options by region, with percentages for one, two, or three-plus cars.

Evidently, a garage is something homebuyers are looking for in their searches, but that’s not all.

Homebuyers Are Not Giving up Their Patios

Patio dining area with a set wooden table, wicker chairs, and a green lawn beyond.

Patios are on the radar for buyers as well. Community areas are often common amenities in new neighborhoods, but as it turns out, private outdoor spaces are quite desirable too. NAHB also found that,

“Of the roughly 876,000 single-family homes started in 2018, 59.4% came with patios…This is the highest the number has been since NAHB began tracking the series in 2005.”

As shown in the graph below, the number of new homes built with patios has been increasing for the past 9 years. Clearly, they’re a desirable feature for new homeowners too.

Bar chart shows the share of single-family homes built with patios rising from 48.1% in 2005 to 59.4% in 2018.

Bottom Line

Homebuyers are looking for garage space and outdoor patio living. If you’re a homeowner thinking of selling a house with these amenities, it appears buyers are willing to spring for those key features.

To find out the current value and demand for your home, contact an Accord Realty agent today!

Ready When You Are

Every real estate journey deserves expert guidance and personalized care. Accord Realty combines market expertise, innovative marketing, and a dedicated team to help you achieve the best possible results.

Follow Me on Instagram