CHICAGO – A laundry room tops the wish list of first-time home buyers, according to the recent report What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition, released by the National Association of Home Builders. The study asked first-time buyers to rate more than 200 home features.

10 features first-time buyers want most

• Laundry room: 83% (45% essential, 38% desirable)
• Ceiling fan: 81% (46% essential, 35% desirable)
• Exterior lighting: 81% (34% essential, 47% desirable)
• Double kitchen sink: 80% (38% essential, 42% desirable)
• Hardwood floors: 80% (37% essential, 43% desirable)
• Walk-in pantry: 80% (34% essential, 46% desirable)
• Drinking water filtration: 78% (37% essential, 41% desirable)
• Patio: 78% (31% essential, 47% desirable)
• Security cameras: 78% (30% essential, 48% desirable)
• Kitchen space for eating: 77% (35% essential, 42% desirable)

First-time home buyers also ranked several home features much lower on their priority list. According to the survey, these are the ones low on their list of desired amenities.

Features most first-time buyers don’t want

• Elevator: 46%
• Golf course: 42%
• Glass walls: 41%
• Cork floors: 40%
• Bamboo floors: 36%
• Pet washing station: 36%
• Daycare center: 35%
• Wine cellar: 34%
• Roof partially/completely covered by plants: 34%
• In-law suite: 32%

Source: “What First-Time Home Buyers Really Want,” National Association of Home Builders’ Eye on Housing blog (March 22, 2022)

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