Buyer wish lists have evolved significantly in recent years, particularly at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As we progress through early 2021, we continue to see the many ways in which buyers are rethinking their wish list for a future home. Read on and discover a few new additions to home buyer wish lists during the ongoing pandemic.
Dedicated work spaces
Due to various social distancing measures, many Americans have transitioned from working in office settings to working from home. As a result, the need for work-from-home spaces has increased in the past year. Many buyers are searching for homes that feature quiet places for working during the day, allowing them to compartmentalize their working space from shared living spaces within the home. This is also true for families with children who need quiet places for at-home learning.
Closed floor plans
Because people have spent a considerable amount of time at home over the last several months, open floor plans have become less desirable. This is because open floor plans allow noise to easily carry throughout a home. Because people have been staying at home for the last several months, homes can become quite noisy. Many families are now looking for homes on the market that have rooms separated from common living areas.
Additional Functionality in Kitchens
Americans are realizing that it makes more sense to stock up groceries on nonperishables by buying in bulk. Many buyers today are enticed by walk-in cabinets and other forms of kitchen overflow storage space. Now more than ever, people are cooking at home during the pandemic due to social distancing measures.
While it is difficult to predict how the rest of this year will unfold, real estate professionals should continue to adjust their marketing efforts to these new home buyer must-haves during the pandemic.
