Buyers going for the extra yard

The suburban home and yard that many of today’s homebuyers remember from their childhood is gaining a renewed attraction — but with caveats.

After years of home shoppers saying they would rather have a home with a small yard in exchange for a walkable location near stores, schools, restaurants and transportation hubs — some now want more outdoor space.

Knowing that the pandemic upended many consumer preferences, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) decided to conduct its usual annual Community & Transportation Preferences Survey twice in 2020, once in February and then again at the end of July, to better gauge trends.

“The latest survey showed that a majority — 56 percent — of Gen Z and millennials with children in school now prefer a large yard in a driving community, which represents an 11 percent increase from the number recorded in February when the majority of respondents noted their preference for a smaller yard in a ‘walkable’ community,” says Hugh Morris, NAR Smart Growth manager.

The NAR survey let respondents self-define what a large or small yard means, but Lesley Deutch of John Burns Real Estate Consulting thinks that most buyers want just enough space for a swing set, barbecue and to let a dog roam.

Arlington, Virginia, landscape architect Jennifer Horn says that buyers may not need an expansive yard to live the outdoor life. “If one thinks creatively,” she says, “even a narrow townhouse can provide a much- needed connection with the outdoors.”

Even outdoor kitchens, a sought-after amenity, can require relatively little yardage.

Indeed, she sees a “minimum of 10 square feet” for a basic island. “We’ve done some very simple, but useful, islands with a grill, side burner and trash storage drawer.”

A 2017 survey from homebuilder Taylor Morrison found that a majority of buyers of all ages would sacrifice a large home for a yard with “breathing room” or a sense of privacy from neighbors.

Fencing efficiently achieves a private feel, says Horn, but if there is some yard space, a layer of plantings provides moreof a buffer.