What's In, What's Out

Each year, Mark Nash of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Chicago asks subscribers to his e-zine what buyers want most. His most recent poll shows:

IN

• A reduced carbon footprint: How your home and you impact the earth matters to more buyers who want a home that lets them save energy and lessen their contribution to global warming.
• Outdoor living: Massive fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and under-patio heating to extend the season are not just for the Sun Belt anymore.
• Fully concealed appliances: That wood-printed cover for the fridge is not enough any longer; now appliances are hidden behind hinged doors.
• Floating homes: Not your father’s houseboat, these nonmobile homes are basically ranch houses sitting on stationary barges in a lake or river.
• Home elevators: Even builders of mid-priced homes are adding this essential for boomers wanting to age in place.
• Pet showers: Clean pets mean clean homes, and who wants to mess up the bathtub when this feature can be a part of the garage or mudroom?
• Freestanding bathtubs: These oversized soaker tubs, or “bath thrones,” have supplanted whirlpool baths as the must-have bathroom centerpiece.
• Bathroom suites: Whether it’s multiple flat-screen TVs or a mini fridge and cappuccino maker, you’ll soon have a whole home inside this one room.

OUT

• Living rooms: The incredible shrinking parlor has ceased to exist in some homes.
• Voluminous ceiling heights: The absurd look and wasted space of 20-foot ceilings in 12- by 10-foot rooms is finally dawning on buyers.
• Tiny balconies: Room for only one chair is worthless; balconies must now function for entertaining too.
• McMansions: Could it be that “small is beautiful” finally is gaining traction?