Bathrooms play an important role for homebuyers, and some features within them can make or break a buyer’s decision to purchase. The National Association of Home Builders’ What Home Buyers Really Want survey found nearly 50% of surveyed homebuyers said 12 out of the proposed 18 bathroom features were desirable or essential. The top four bathroom features pertain to primary bathrooms: a linen closet, both shower and tub, double vanity, and private toilet compartment. The feature deemed essential to most homebuyers (36%), meaning this feature would greatly impact a buyer’s decision to purchase, was both a shower and bathtub in the primary bath.
Slightly lower majorities also want the primary bath to have multiple shower heads (59 percent), a whirlpool (56 percent), and a body spray panel (56 percent). Results also indicate that a white toilet, tub, and sink are preferable (65 percent) than their color counterparts (44 percent).
Some bath features are significantly more popular among younger buyers. The leading example is dual toilets in the primary bath, a feature rated essential or desirable by 48 percent of Millennials (born 1980 to 1996) and 50 percent of Gen X (born 1965 to 1979) buyers, but only by 20 percent of the older group of Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964). Similarly, while at least half of the younger two generations want to have His & Her baths, a skylight in the primary bath, and a bidet, the share of Boomers interested in these features only ranges from 25 percent to 35 percent. These generational differences are all statistically significant after controlling for a number of other factors, particularly the income and household composition of the buyers.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Design
The New American Home 2024: Modern Features, Timeless Comfort
Explore the design elements and unique, luxe details that combine to create a sense of comfort and relaxed indoor/outdoor living in The New American Home 2024
Design
4 Inspiring Adaptive Reuse Projects With Real Impact
From former schools to warehouses, these adaptive reuse projects—winners in the 2023 Best in American Living Awards—succeed in creating new housing and revitalizing their neighborhoods
Design
Kid-Friendly Home Design Four Ways
Do your ‘family’ homes really deliver great design for parents and their children? Here are four clever home design ideas that consider kids and adults alike