Large garages with two or more spaces topped the list of features that were important to buyers who purchased homes in 2006. According to the 2007 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences, approximately 57 percent of buyers surveyed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) wanted an oversized garage, up 16 percent from 2004. In addition, of the buyers who purchased homes without large garages, 56 percent said they would have paid more for an oversized garage. In addition to large garages, the following home features were most important to home buyers:
- Three out of every four respondents ranked air conditioning as very important.
- Just over 50 percent of buyers considered a master bedroom walk-in closet to be an important feature.
- Hardwood floors and granite countertops are gaining in popularity, each up 7 percent since the 2004 survey.
- A home that is cable/satellite TV-ready was important to 46 percent of buyers.
- Energy efficiency was particularly important among buyers of new homes, with 65 percent of these buyers indicating an energy-efficient home was very important.
- In the Northeast, 53 percent of buyers placed a premium on a backyard or play area.
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