2010 Home Buyer Must-haves, Turn-offs and Deal Breakers According to a Recent Survey

In May of 2010, online real estate brokerage firm ZipRealty asked approximately 1000 site registered house hunters what they considered as the most important home features and what the "biggest turn-offs" were.

Zip's survey revealed changes in what respondents consider as high priority compared to a survey done two years ago.

• A home with energy-efficient, eco-friendly features was ranked as a high priority, up 27% compared to 2008. Buyers in today's economy realize that the ongoing cost of home ownership is as important as the initial cost of the home.
• A home office was ranked as a high priority, up 35% compared to 2008. "Women's growing desire for a home office may speak to the fact that more women are working from home these days" said ZipRealty's Vice President of Marketing, Leslie Tyler.

Biggest Turn-offs

According to the survey, the "biggest turn-offs" when viewing a home in person were:

• Structural damage
• A busy street
• Awkward floor plans
• Odors

Biggest Deal Breakers

According to the survery, the "biggest deal-breakers" when searching online for a home were:

• Few or no photos
• Low square footage
• Lack of parking

Top Ten Home Features

These are the top ten home features that respondents overall considered to be a high priority:

• Garage or parking space - 86.8%
• Master suite - 78.9%
• Enough storage space - 72.0%
• Large or walk-in closets - 66.5%
• Guest bedroom - 66.4%
• Outdoor entertainment area - 66.3%
• Gourmet or updated kitchen - 60.6%
• Breakfast room or eat-in kitchen - 55.8%
• Large yard - 43.2%
• Wood floors - 40.8%

Differences between Men and Women

Out of the top ten most desired home features, rankings differed somewhat between the sexes.

• Garage or parking space - 87.7% women compared to 85.5% men
• Master suite - 77.8% women compared to 79.8% men
• Enough storage space - 72.7% women compared to 71.2% men
• Large or walk-in closets - 68.7% women compared to 64.2% men
• Guest bedroom - 63.9% women compared to 64.2% men
• Outdoor entertainment area - 64.2% women compared to 63.4% men
• Gourmet or updated kitchen - 61.8% women compared to 59.1% men
• Breakfast room or eat-in kitchen - 56.1% women compared to 55.2% men
• Large yard - 43% women/same for men
• Wood floors - 40.9% women and not considered a top ten feature for men
• View - not considered a top ten feature for women compared to 44.5% men

"Overall, the same things you would always expect to top the list of 'must-haves' and 'deal breakers' for house hunters still show up, but it is interesting to see men place a higher priority than women on things often characterized as stereotypically female priorities, such as a luxurious bathroom and a dining room," said Tyler. "Charlotte NC Real Estate Homes for Sale

Leigh Brown is aRealtor® and leader in the Charlotte, NC market. Leigh can assist you with all phases of buying a homein Charlotte, NCor aggressively market and position your existing Charlotte, NC home for sale. You can reach Leigh by filling out her online contact formor give hera call at (704) 688-5005, ortoll free at (866) 440-7136.

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Article Source(s): ZipRealty