Home Building Trends | Indoor plumbing. Electric lights. We take these things for granted today, but there was a time when such basic conveniences were novel and sought after. Of course, with the forward gallop of technological advancement, homes have become only more comfortable and accommodating of our day-to-day wants and needs. And far from static, our cultural priorities and lifestyle preferences have evolved, even compared with what they were just 10 or 15 years ago. For example, increasing numbers of homeowners are eschewing formality and embracing practicality. With continual, sometimes dramatic, change at play, there’s no such thing as a fixed ideal. But survey data and anecdotal evidence certainly suggest that in the 21st-century real estate market, some features are more highly prized than others.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
When the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently surveyed prospective and recent home buyers, the organization found that 9 out of 10 people prioritize energy efficiency—if not for its role in mitigating the current climate crisis, then for its ability to minimize monthly household bills. A staggering 94 percent of the survey respondents said they want ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, with over a third rating them as absolutely essential.
