New-home necessities

What features are most important to buyers of new construction? Take a look at these questions based on the results of the National Association of Home Builders consumer survey What 21st Century Home Buyers Want. See if you know what homebuyers really want from new construction.

The answer follows each question, so scroll slowly if you wish to read a question before revealing the answer.

1. Which feature do consumers want most in a kitchen?
   a) walk-in pantry
   b) island work area
   c) light wood cabinets
   d) fountain
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   1. a. A walk-in pantry was rated as desirable or essential by 78% of respondents.
   
   
   
2. True or false? Only 25% of consumers want at least a three-car garage.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   2. True.
   
   
   
   
3. How many respondents want a minimum of four bedrooms?
   a) 100%
   b) 60%
   c) 40%
   d) 10%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   3. c. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, more than a third of new single-family homes built in 2002 had four or more bedrooms.
   
   
   
   
4. Which “extra room for convenience and luxury” do consumers rate highest?
   a) exercise room
   b) dining room
   c) media room
   d) laundry room
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   4. d.

   
   

5. True or false? Almost all consumers prefer a first-floor master suite.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   5. False. Fifty-two percent of respondents selected a first-floor mastersuite, while 48% opted for the second floor.
   
   
   
   
6. What’s the median square footage that survey respondents are looking
   for in a new home?
   a) 1,770
   b) 2,071
   c) 2,424
   d) 3,146
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   6. b.
   
   
   
   
7. True or false? Two-thirds of respondents want at least nine-foot ceilings on the first floor.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   7. True.
   
   
   
   
8. Rate in order of consumers’ preference these five bathroom features:
   ___ exhaust fan
   ___ separate shower enclosure
   ___ whirlpool tub
   ___ linen closet
   ___ ceramic tile walls
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   8. 1. Linen closet, 2. exhaust fan, 3. separate shower enclosure,
   4. whirlpool tub, 5. ceramic tile walls
   
   
   
   
9. What is the preferred location for a washing machine and dryer?
   a) near the kitchen
   b) in the basement
   c) near the bedrooms
   d) in the garage
   e) both a and c
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   9. e. Both locations were picked by 26% of respondents.

Illustration © Artville.

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