What Do Homebuyers Want in a New Home?

Single-family homes have changed over the years, with trends shifting primarily based on what buyers are looking for and what they can afford. The National Association of Home Builders analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction to figure out what must-have features are being included in new single-family homes today. 

The survey—which analyzes new home starts from 2023—found that new construction homes are placing increased emphasis on convenience and practicality, with trends ranging from additional bathrooms to patios, kitchen and bathroom amenities, and the ease of access to laundry facilities.

Patio Popularity on the Rise

Patios are becoming a standard feature in new homes, with a record high of 63.7% of single-family homes started in 2023 including this outdoor space. The average patio size across the U.S. is approximately 290 square feet, though variations exist across different regions.

Patios are particularly common in the West South Central region of the U.S., where climates are generally warmer. Here, more than 80% of homes feature patios. On the other hand, colder portions of the country, such as New England and the Middle Atlantic region, only saw 17% and 20% of new home starts featuring patios, respectively.

Two-Bathroom Layouts

The survey shows that most new homes started in 2023 continue to include two full bathrooms, with 64.7% of single-family homes featuring this setup. This represents the largest increase in two-bathroom homes since 2018, reversing a previous decline. 

Homes with three full bathrooms, however, saw a decline in starts, dropping to 23.8%, while those with one bathroom or less slightly increased to 4.6%. The share of homes with four or more bathrooms also decreased to 6.9%. Additionally, 54.7% of homes started in 2023 had no half-bathroom, and only 1.5% featured two or more half-bathrooms.

Amenity-Packed Kitchens and Bathrooms

While homebuyers are opting for fewer bathrooms, the bathrooms that are included in their floor plans must be loaded with both functional and stylish features. The primary bathroom has become a key focus, with 78% of buyers considering a shower and tub combination essential or desirable, followed closely by linen closets at 76% and private toilet compartments at 70%.

Similarly, many home starts in 2023 included amenity-rich kitchens. A walk-in pantry continues to be one of the most sought-after kitchen features, with 80% of surveyed homebuyers ranking it as either essential or desirable. Other highly rated kitchen features include table space for eating, double sinks, water filtration systems, pull-out shelves, and granite or natural stone countertops.

Easily Accessible Laundry Rooms

Builders are increasingly placing laundry facilities on the first or second floors. Approximately 72% of new homes in 2023 featured laundry facilities on the first floor, and about 26% of home starts had laundry rooms on the second floor or higher.

This is in line with what most buyers want, according to the NAHB, which found that 60% of buyers would prefer to have laundry rooms on the first floor. While 17% of buyers would rather have their laundry in the basement, and 15% would prefer the garage, only 1% of laundry facilities are found in these locations.