2016 home buyers are raising the bar for outdoor living features!
Here is what they're looking for:
1. Outdoor Kitchens + Dining Areas
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Photo from: 8909 Nellie Lane, Marvin, NC 28173[/caption]
When weather permits, many people enjoy cooking and sharing a meal outside for a change of scenery. Although a basic grill and a picnic table once were the norm, many home buyers
are now looking for full outdoor kitchens outfitted with built-in grills, stainless steel appliances, ice makers, granite counter tops and islands! Some home buyers are willing to spend time and money retrofitting basic backyards to meet their outdoor cooking and dining needs after they move in, but it’s a huge plus when a home comes pre-equipped.
2. Ample Porch Space
In recent years a number of home buyers have grown nostalgic for rocking chairs, porch swings and the front po
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Photo from: 8908 Nellie Lane, Marvin, NC 28173[/caption]
rch culture that was long a characteristic of small towns. Simply put, today’s home buyers want their porch space back, and plenty of it.
3. Outdoor Hangout Areas
For many home buyers, space to host friends and family is a necessity! With the right features, an outdoor living area can be a perfect spot for this. Many enjoy to have room for seating, bars and TVs for lounging, or hosting gatherings.
It’s also important for outdoor living spaces to be comfortable — all year round. This is where amenities such as outdoor fireplaces come into play — providing a cozy atmosphere for mingling with dinner guests or just roasting marshmallows! To keep these spaces cool in the summer heat, it has become increasingly common for residents to install over sized ceiling fans (a great decor focal point) and even misting systems. Screened-in patios are also preferred to keep bugs away at any time of the year.
4. Large Windows & Doors
As home buyers decide to invest in making their outdoor living spaces functional, comfortable and visually appealing, an important aspect is incorporating large windows and doors to visually connect the exterior with the interior. We have seen that residents are drawn to sizable windows which create open, natural-lit spaces, as well as double doors leading out to patio areas.
Blog adapted from article by Thom Cunningham, VP of Crescent Communities
Photos from recent listing: 8908 Nellie Lane (view the virtual tour)
For any questions about this listing, please feel free to contact Christine Hotham!
Learn more about Christine here.