Given
the rapid
evolution of
design,
configuration
and products
in new
homes, even
a
professional
futurist
might be
hard-pressed
to determine
what the
next five
decades hold
for housing.
But a new
study by the
National
Association
of Home
Builders
provides a
telling look
at the homes
buyers can
expect to
purchase in
the nearer
future.
"The
Home of the
Future"
study,
introduced
at the
International
Builders'
Show in
Orlando, was
conducted in
2006 by
NAHB's
Economics
Group. Based
on polls of
architects,
designers,
marketers
and
manufacturers,
it provides
a detailed
view of what
buyers can
expect to
find in an
"average"
home and an
"upscale"
home in
2015.
According to
the experts,
the pace of
change in
new homes
will be much
faster over
the next 10
years than
in recent
years, and
buyers can
expect that
all homes
will be
significantly
"greener"
and more
resource
efficient
than today.
There will
also be
increasing
emphasis on
universal
design/handicap
access.
Perhaps most
surprising,
the
consensus
was that
although
average home
size has
increased
significantly
in the past
decade, it
is not
likely to
increase in
the next 10
years. In
fact,
average home
size in 2015
is likely to
stay in the
range of
today's
2,400 square
feet, and
homes are
increasingly
likely to be
two-story
rather than
one-story.
Like
today,
kitchens and
bathrooms
will
continue to
be among the
most
important
factors
affecting
consumer
buying
choices and
will
continue to
feature
upgraded
materials
and
appliances.
The focus on
garages will
also
increase,
with more
consumers
preferring
three-car
garages.
Moreover,
the door
openings on
garages will
be larger to
accommodate
larger
vehicles.
Another
growing
trend is
recessed
lighting,
which buyers
can expect
to find in
homes in all
price ranges
along with
wood floors.
Communities
are likely
to reflect
consumer
preferences
for open
space,
recreational
opportunities
and
amenities
such as
walking and
jogging
trails and
are also
likely to be
close to
public
transportation.
The
following is
a profile of
the typical
new
single-family
home in 2015
based on the
survey
results:
2,330-square-foot,
two-story
home with 2½
to 3½
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bathrooms
and 4
bedrooms.
One-story
entry foyer.
One-story
family room
(no loft or
volume
ceilings,
etc.).
Living
room will
vanish or
become
parlor/retreat/library.
Nine-foot
ceilings on
first
floor;
eight- to
nine-foot
ceilings on
second
floor.
Exterior
walls of
vinyl or
fiber cement
siding or
brick.
Staircase
located in
foyer.
Front
porch,
patio.
Fiber
optic
network,
programmable
thermostat,
structured
wiring
system,
multiline
phone
system.
Both
shower stall
and tub in
master
bathroom.
Toilet
in master
bath will
have
separate
enclosure.
The
following is
a profile of
a typical
upscale
single-family
home in 2015
based on the
survey
results:
More
than 4,000
square feet.
Two-story
home with 3½
to 4½
bathrooms
and 4 or
more
bedrooms.
Two-story
entry foyer.
One- or
two-story
family room.
Likely
to have
formal
living room,
but living
room may be
replaced by
parlor/retreat/library.
Nine-foot
ceilings on
first floor;
nine- to
ten-foot
ceilings on
upper
floors.
Exterior
of stone,
brick,
stucco or
fiber cement
siding.
Stairs
in the back
or side of
the house.
Front
porch, rear
porch, patio
and deck.
Two
master
bedroom
suites.
Outdoor
kitchen with
grill,
sinks,
refrigerator,
cooking
island.
Outdoor
fireplace,
pool/spa,
audio/tv
equipment,
lighting.
Programmable
thermostat,
structured
wiring,
multiline
phone
system,
multi-zone
HVAC, remote
control
fireplaces,
instant hot
water in
bathrooms/kitchens,
lighting
control
system,
monitored
burglar/fire/toxic
gas alarm
system
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