As spring knocks on our door, the busy real estate season is following closely behind. With the holidays and (most of) winter behind us and thoughts of newness ahead, the industry is about to pick back up. As more people come to you about wanting to buy a new home, it’s important to look at the personalities behind the purchases.
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Ivette Faulkner/SYDNEY WEAVER-BEY
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Homes.com Reveals America’s Dream Home:
A Plush Four Bedroom, Three Bath Family Oasis
Recent Survey Uncovers Homebuyers’ Must-Have Features
NORFOLK, Va. (July 16, 2012) – Homes.com, a leading online real estate destination and complete lifestyle resource, conducted a survey of home-seekers across the country to determine what the ideal home for the American family looks like. The survey reveals the “American Dream” of home ownership is far from forgotten. With Americans today opting for bigger and better, many buyers are choosing in-home amenities that provide convenience and comfort for the haste of today’s lifestyle.
More than 70 percent of respondents opted for a single-family detached home in a country setting that has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with about 40 percent looking for a home with more than 2,000 square feet. Top amenities include a walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom and fireplace, reinforcing the trend that for today’s homebuyer, it’s all about comfort and accessibility.
“Homes.com prides itself on keeping a pulse on America’s homebuyers and the marketplace, providing resources to help in every step of the home-buying process.” said Wendy Froehlich, vice president of Marketing for Homes.com. “Americans are still excited about the idea of home ownership, and Homes.com is committed to making the process as simple as possible for potential homeowners.”
Compared to desired in-home amenities from a decade ago, the amenities chosen in the ”American Dream Home” survey prove that Americans today cherish flexible spaces with choices like sun rooms, basements and screened-in porches topping the list of specialty rooms buyers would like to see in their homes.
The trend of outdoor living also has a growing appeal, with more and more people opting for homes that make it convenient to enjoy outdoor space and outdoor amenities. More than 30 percent of those surveyed chose a deck as an outdoor “Must Have,” with swimming pools and patios following closely behind with 28 percent and 21.5 percent, respectively.
Along with the ideal dream home, Homes.com also wanted to know more about America’s vacation home desires. A “Peaceful Lake-Front Cabin” led the way with more than 35 percent of votes, as the most sought after second home with the “Caribbean Villa” coming in a close second with 34.3 percent. Rounding out the top three vacation home destinations, the “Swanky South Beach Condo” was chosen with 10.4 percent of the votes.
Homes.com surveyed its database of several thousand consumers across the country. Of the survey respondents, 85 percent were female with 37 percent of respondents living in the Southeast and more than 41 percent searching for a home in the same area. View a complete summary of the “American Dream Home” survey results illustrated as an infographic on blog.homes.com.
The “American Dream Home” survey, just one of the ways Homes.com strives to relay relevant and timely information to real estate professionals and consumers alike, is a quintessential peek into the mind of today’s homebuyer. For inspiration to create the ultimate dream home, visit the Homes.com Idea Gallery at blog.homes.com/idea-gallery.
About Homes.com
As one of the nation’s top online real estate destinations, Homes.com inspires consumers to dream big. From affordable houses to luxurious estates, condos and more, Homes.com features more than four million property listings and a user-friendly format, making finding your next home or a licensed real estate agent easily accessible. Visitors to the Homes.com blog will find a collection of rich content and posts on DIY projects, painting, gardening and more, providing the ultimate resource for everything home related. From purchasing a first home, to upgrading, downsizing and everything in between, Homes.com is an inspiring and engaging partner in every phase of the home buying process.
Homes.com is a division of Dominion Enterprises, a leading marketing services and publishing company headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. For more information, visit www.dominionenterprises.com.
For more information, visit http://www.homes.com or blog.homes.com.
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Home prices and Interest rates are at an all time low and, apparently, the real estate industry is at an all time slump. However, isn’t the Real Estate industry a never-ending cycle of good and bad? It’s just takes some preparation and research to make a timely decision on the best investment for the consumer and the best opportunity cost for the agent. The way that the economy goes up and down isn’t something that we can get used to changing effectively anytime soon, but we can train ourselves to work with what we have.
So, we have a secret for you – with all these low prices and low interest rates banks are promoting, find your niche and sell it. Wait a second, didn’t Sue Adler, #1 Keller Williams New Jersey Agent say it’s not about the sale, it’s about the relationship?
Yes, indeed she did. That’s why we are going to share why it’s important to build your relationships with first time home buyers. These are a few key points to consider: Continue reading
In the uncertainty of today’s real estate market, real estate professionals can take comfort in one demographic which is essentially unwavering—first time home buyers. Targeting this market can ensure a steady stream of clients, as first time home buyers constitute 50% of all home buyers, up 3% from last year, according to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Here are some tips to help you market to first time buyers and serve their needs in the best way possible.
First, target your advertising. The typical age of a first time homebuyer is 30 so you’ll want to target younger couples or singles who are currently renting. Think about advertising on rental websites, in local rental classifieds, or passing out flyers in apartment complexes.
Once you have begun to attract a pool of prospects, you need to be able to provide for the unique needs of this market. First time home buyers especially want an agent who is knowledgeable, thorough and can guide them through the whole process of home buying. They need more information, a slower pace and lots of feedback to help them decide. They will ask a lot of questions, so be prepared with all the information you think they will need. Preparing folders to answer common questions a first time buyer might have is a good way to provide them with information and give them time to review on their own. Continue reading
Earlier this month, the National Association of Realtors® released their Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers for 2010. Each year, this report helps real estate professionals better understand their clients and provides insight into the ever-changing real estate market.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this year’s report: