The 2020 Homebuyer Wish List
The word “home” is taking on a whole new meaning this year, and buyers are starting to look for new features as they re-think their needs and what’s truly possible. From more outdoor space to virtual classrooms for their children, buyers have a growing list of what they’d like to see in their homes.
As stay-at-home orders took hold around the country this spring, a home quickly became more than simply a "home," it became a school, gym, playground and office practically overnight. Now, many are reconsidering their home's functionality as once popular design features have become less workable, and turning buyers to new construction homes as an option**.
Now, many home builders are predicting that a demand for more privacy and more space will help drive building decisions as they imagine how future homes can better serve the people living in them.
Open-concept living has grown in popularity over the past few decades, especially in recent years as home-improvement TV shows pitched it as a must-have feature of any house. Previous Zillow® research found the share of for-sale listings mentioning open concept layouts more than doubled since 2015. Open-concept floor plans remove doors and walls in favor of combined spaces, offering families a greater sense of togetherness.
However, along with these open spaces comes a lack of privacy, and being at home emphasized for many that there were not enough quiet spaces to work, reflect, and take a break from the chaos of life. In a recent survey by Zillow and The Harris Poll1, 27 percent of those surveyed said they would consider moving to have a home with more rooms (one of the top reasons for considering a move) after spending more time at home because of coronavirus orders.
