As a growing number of Americans return to the office, relocate, or look to restart their lives amid waning COVID-19 cases, new homebuyer preferences are taking over a busy spring season, Realtor.com reports. The must-have home features and amenities for spring buyers are centered around indoor-outdoor lifestyles, additional living space, and turnkey convenience, but as home prices jump to new highs, many buyers will be forced to make sacrifices to accommodate tight budgets.
Topping the list of the most desirable home features are outdoor amenities like swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas, followed by views and outdoor activities. Spring homebuyers are also looking for bigger and brighter homes with high ceilings, big lots, and detached structures like garages or sheds.
“Everybody wants turnkey,” says [Cara] Ameer. “They want a big, open kitchen, and they want it all done for them.”
Part of the reason is convenience; another is the proliferation of design shows on channels like HGTV, which perhaps gives buyers some unrealistic expectations. But buyers are also being practical: Construction delays and rising prices mean doing renovations will be more costly than in previous years, and the timelines for getting the work done can be burdensome.
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