National Housing Market - What’s Hot & What’s not. The Parade of Homes in Raleigh and throughout Wake County is almost upon us which means you should have in mind those things the national markets are looking for as you view homes of any price. Other areas have either had or are about to have their Parade of Homes as well.
High ceilings have certainly been popular around here for a long time but the preferred heighth (perhaps because of heating costs) is currently 9′ to 11′. Most buyers are looking for four bedrooms and despite the fact that people continue to eat more and more meals out, dining rooms are still in. Formal living rooms are going the way of the Oldsmobile and where found are, more often than not, converted into an office or library. Home theatres continue to be in demand whether in a top of the line “It costs WHAT!!!” form or simply an area that can be used for media purposes.
Kitchen’s that open into the family room and breakfast area are also a priority. Whoever inherits the kitchen duties still wants to be part of the action. Home buyers are, more than ever, taking the Good Book to heart by saying, louder than ever, “Let There be Light!” Being able to see out and get out - is most decidedly in: French doors - yes. Sliding glass doors - no. Speaking of the kitchen, the more the merrier is the name of the game for counter space. Deep drawers, two sinks, and a warming drawer are all to be seen. In larger homes two dishwashers are becoming almost a standard and more and more large home have two full sized refrigerators. No longer is number two frig consigned to the garage. Butler’s pantries that in years past have come and gone and come back again are most certainly in current demand. While I hear a lot of complaining about it being almost impossible to keep stainless steel appliances looking good, they are in ever higer demand as are appliances with designer colors and cabinetry to, in many cases, conceal all of them. In fact, kitchen cabinets that look like furniture are keeping many a local cabinet maker working seven days a week. Regardless of size an eat-in kitchen is a must for most home buyers. Granite counter tops are still in and concrete is gaining ground although not as much as has been anticipated because of weight considerations.
Wall space for the large, flat TV screens is needed as is wiring that not many years ago have put many a good-sized office building to shame. Consider the wiring and wiring plans needed for cable TV, computers, internet, phones, surround sound, interior and exterior automatic lighting systems that boggle the mind, home theatres and the electronics needed to support an in-home office.
The need for more cabinet space to accommodate TVs, associated electronics, glass-ware, collectables, books - you name it - continues to increase. Other storage needs expand as well: larger laundries, master closets that are sometimes of a size that would have been good for a master bedroom in the past, walk-in and, in some cases, walk-thru pantries. The beat goes on.
Stained concrete and wood flooring is warm, functional and in demand. Stone and large rustic tiles are current favorites as well. The warm luster of Brazilian Cherry floors has lost a lot of appeal because it seems to scratch rather easily and the lady of the house it finding it difficult to keep them looking good. Laminate and patterned cultured marble have taken a “deep six” as well.
Before continuing with what is going on inside, lets take a look outside. Last year’s Parade of Homes saw another increase in the number of Tuscan, French, Spanish and English “old world” style homes. They feature stone and stucco walls, heavy wooden beams, tile roofs and iron fixtures. These types of homes and features continue apace this year.
The craftsman style, farmhouse style, and ranch styles are gaining momentum again in many parts of the country. However, the slowdown in home sales in some parts of the country certainly puts a damper on a lot of builders plans and may well throttle any move toward a significant increase in ranch style homes since it is much less expensive to build the two-story box than it is the more spread out ranch.
A three car garage is becoming the norm and in many upscale homes four car is a must with five and six car garages now not all that uncommon.
Now, back to the interior. All the “goodies” that go along with the European style homes are in demand such as heavy wood and iron entry doors. Brushed nickel and weathered brass hardware, wood covered ceilings, heavy wood beams and weathered flooring are part of the package as well. Front porches, covered patios, outdoor fireplaces, are also being looked for. According to interior designers around the country soft colors are in and faux finishes are out. However, with regard to faux finishes, I have seen quite a few expensive homes, currently in the finishing stages, in North Carolinal, Virgina and Georgia that have faux finishes and they looked as elegant as ever.
Energy efficient products are in more demand than ever such as high efficiency AC, low-e glass, top qualify insulation (sprayed insulation of several types), etc. However, in a way that is same old - same old. The really high powered approach to energy efficiency such, as solar powered homes, while gaining a little in demand still lags badly. Perhaps people won’t get truly interest until h— overtakes them and we run out of oil or it gets to $100 and more per barrel and stays there.
Bath fixtures are of many finishes: nickel, bronze and chrome. Old style two-handle faucets and farmhouse sinks are in fashion as are bath sinks of stone, stainless, glass and granite. Antique sinks and antique cabinetry are in as are pedestal and wall hung lavatories and free standing tubs.
If you are purchasing a home you get what the package delivers. However, if you are building a home or buying one where you can still select many of the items in it, I would suggest that you give servious thought about how wise it is to have such items as old two-handle faucets, farmhouse sinks and free standing tubs. These fashions come and go very quickly and when you want to sell they can become a drawback if they are not in at the time. Buyers always have other things they can look at so beware as to how you match the old and the new. Actual antiques or antique style lavatories and cabinetry (wherever used) have a good chance of being in demand for a long time.
As you wander through the Parade homes think about these things and , as always, ENJOY!
John Fish (919) 696-3474 Email: marvmax@mindspring.com Web Site: www.JohnFish.com
