Making the Most of It: More trends that relate to the emphasis of utility and livability

Homes Grow Greener

Consumes spend an average of $1,900 each year on utility bills*, so a desire to trim the household budget often goes hand-in-hand with a homeowner's investment in upgrades that increase energy efficiency or water conservation. In many cases, these improvements pay for themselves with savings over time. Some of the most common features built into new homes and and retrofitted into older ones include:

- Insulated exterior doors
- Low-emissivity (low-e) windows
- Energy-efficient appliances, lighting and HVAC systems
- Programmable thermostats
- Tankless water heaters
- Solar panels
- Extra insulation
- Water-saving plumbing fixtures and appliances

*Source: U.S. Department of Energy

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Average Size of a new Single Family House in the United States*

1950: 983 square feet
1970: 1500 square feet
1990: 2050 square feet
2007: 2479 square feet
2008: 2473 square feet
2009: 2422 square feet

*U.S. Census Bureau

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OFFICE Wins Most Popular Specialty Room*

Nationwide surveys show that many homeowners now want fully functional residential spaces that are thoughtfully designed to match their lifestyle that cost less to maintain over time. Ask your real estate professional if you would like to know which specific trends are most evident in your local area, especially if you are planning a renovation project that could impact your home's resale value.

40% Home Office
18% Mud Room
16.2% Media Room
6.2% Guest Suites
4.3% Fitness Room
3.3% Hobby/Game Room
11.9% Other

*AIA Home Design Trends Survey

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Options Create Opportunities

Many builders have incorporated flexible spaces that give buyers the option to dedicate a room to meet their specific needs and preferences or to serve multiple purposes. For example, a formal dining room calls for a chandelier and open access, whereas double doors and built-ins can easy create a private home office or library in the same space. It is now also more common for the owners of older homes to alter their floor plans to work better with the way they live.