Feb 2018
Home Trends &
Buyer Preferences
More from the 2018 International Builder Show


The Housing Market
Homeowners used to move about every 10 years, but trends now are every 16 years. The average age of today’s first time home buyer is 32 years old.

Concerns about home price increases are overshadowing job gains, household formations and a good mortgage market.
Top Expectations of New Homes in 2018
  • Walk in closet in master
  • Central island in kitchen
  • Large, open great room
  • Two car garage
  • Low e-windows
  • Front porch
  • Private toilet room in Mbath
  • 1st floor ceiling height of 9’+
  • Exterior lighting
  • Granite counter top in kitchen (at least)
  • Bathroom linen closet
  • Programmable thermostat
Millennials & Surban Living

Statistics show half of all home buyers in the US are under 36 years old and approaching their prime spending years. As rents increase and mortgage rates stay favorable, home ownership will be on the rise.

The aspiration for a single family home in the suburbs is still prime for this market. Their trendy, urban lifestyles and the suburban opportunity has coined the term "Surban".

Surban... what does that mean?

That means -
  • An urban, social community; coffee shops, artisan goods, transportation ease, entertainment access, and energy.
  • Suburban appeal; affordability, low crime, good education, and space.
Things to Keep in Mind
Ageless Design Trends

Millennials and Boomers have merging interests. Appealing to these interests means incorporating ageless designs into your homes.
  • 1st floor living - MBR & laundry room downstairs
  • Step-less entryway - not only 55+, but also strollers, knee surgery, etc.
  • Zero entry showers with built-in seats
  • Separate toilet room in MBath
  • Path/hallway lighting with motion sensors
  • Laundry room also working as pet room, dog wash, storage
  • Large format non-slip tiles
  • Pocket doors - for extra space
  • Outlets 18" off floor - easier to reach
  • More natural light; double-windows, tubular skylights in closets and baths
  • Easy to control thermostats
  • Bath vanities with pull out, full extension drawers under the sink
  • Shower knobs near entry and not under shower head
  • Nutron timer (on bathroom vents/heaters) with auto shutoff in 30 minutes
  • Wider 4’ hallways (or minimize hallways as much as possible)
  • Quartz counter tops
The Future Renters
Gen Z

These future renters are:
  • Free thinking visionaries
  • Innovative
  • Entrepreneurial
  • Ambitious
  • Realists
  • Concerned about the future
  • Crave stability
  • Want to make a difference in the world
  • Digital from birth
  • Hyper-informed
  • Have the shortest attention span yet (avg 8 secs)
  • Want to be “together” in social areas, but “alone” with headsets on – to study and work
  • Embrace bright & bold colors, including strong yellows

Statistics show this 13-21 year old will highly value home ownership one day and will buy online. When designing for this age group, anything that catches your eye and makes you look twice - in 8 seconds - will do the same for Gen Z.
We will continue to recap our experiences from the International Builder Show ... Hope you're enjoying!

Phyllis, Johanna & Kate
ICI Model Home Marketing Team
Interior Concepts, Inc.
410-224-7366