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.
Related Stories
Community Development
Building a Pedestrian-Friendly Legacy Community
A home's community is an often overlooked "X factor" determining (at least in part) its resale value. These tips from Housing Design Matters make community a priority
House Review
Design Ideas for Cost-Efficient Single-Family Detached Homes
Detached-home solutions ranging from 900 to 2,300 square feet that offer attainable single-family housing with flair
The New American Home
Kitchens + Baths in The New American Home 2022: A Modern Twist on a Timeless Style
The infusion of jazzy patterns and a warm color palette add lively character to the kitchens and baths of this year’s home in Orlando, Fla.