Housing Trends for 2021

Submitted by Judie Docs, Executive Officer, North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) CSP, MCSP, CGP, CMP, MIRM

After declining for four years, several key trends — including the average size of the home and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms — reversed course in 2020 because of shifting buyer preferences in the wake of COVID-19. The average size home remained flat at 2,486 square feet, while the percentage of homes with four or more bedrooms and three or more bathrooms rose to 46% and 33%, respectively — rising closer to 2015 peaks.

“The primary reason is that COVID-19 has led a segment of home buyers to desire larger homes and to move out to the suburbs,” said Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president of survey research.

An increased number of rooms within the same footprint means homeowners are becoming more creative in how they use the space within their homes and using features such as windows to help make these spaces feel larger. The space works harder rather than larger and open spaces are better defined, and spaces are flexible.

New homes are gaining popularity as well, with 60% of buyers preferring new homes — the highest level since 2007. This increased interest in new homes to three key factors.

• Lack of existing home inventory.

• Buyers are concerned about touring other people’s homes.

• New homes are more likely to be located where buyers want to live. (Outlying suburbs are the most popular geographic location, drive by increased interest among minority home buyers.)

NAHB also examined preferences among buyers to help builders determine what features are most likely to resonate in the market in 2021. The top features desired include:

• Laundry rooms

• Exterior lighting

• Ceiling fans

• ENERGY STAR windows and appliances

• Patios and front porches

• Kitchen double sink

• Walk-in pantries Outdoor spaces such as patios and front porches allow homeowners to utilize more space, with the connection between indoors and outdoors continuing to become more seamless. Builders at every value level should consider how to integrate such connections into their homes, and incorporate detailing that helps to dress up these spaces.

NAHB also asked recent and prospective home buyers how COVID-19 may have impacted their housing preferences. Although the majority (67%) did not feel the pandemic had an impact, a quarter did feel their preferences had changed because of COVID-19, with households that have at least one teleworker and one virtual student being the most likely to feel an impact. Such households are also the most likely to desire a larger home.

Our not-for-profit association is dedicated to promoting, protecting, strengthening, and informing our local home building markets and those who work within them to ensure we are, independently and collectively are a viable economic engine of growth now and in the future. Please feel free to use the NCBIA as a resource for any need that you may have, involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Chances are we have a dependable and reputable member that can assist you with just about anything.

Visit our website – ncbia.com for a list of our members, past articles such as this, and be sure to visit our 2021 Virtual Parade of Homes. Or give us a call Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 440934-1090.

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