Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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IRVINE, CA — An overwhelming majority of new-home shoppers believe that now is good time to buy, with more than half of those buyers over the age of 50 and a growing number maintaining multi-generational households. Those are among the key findings of a major new survey sponsored by Electrolux and conducted by John Burns Real Estate Consulting, LLC, an Irvine, CA-based firm that provides research and consulting services to the housing industry. The nationwide survey, whose results were released last month, was undertaken among nearly 22,000 new-home shoppers of all life stages. Studied were consumer attitudes, motivations and fears, as well as product and design prefer- ences, and 2016 kitchen/bath trends. According to the survey's findings, 81% of new-home shoppers believe that now is good time to buy, a reflection of an improving economy and growing consumer confidence. The biggest demographic cohort currently shopping for homes is the "Innovator" group (aged 57-66), followed by the "Balancers" (aged 37-46) and the "Equalers" (aged 47-56). The "Sharers" (aged 27-36) are looking for smaller homes, researchers observed. The survey also found that the need for builders, remod- elers and kitchen/bath designers to accommodate multi-gen- erational households will continue to grow. Researchers noted that some 16.5 million U.S. households – 14% of the total – have two adjacent adult generations living together, while another 4.6 million households (4% of the total) have at least three generations under the same roof. Among the survey's other findings are: • Brand names are "in," with kitchens and baths the top spaces in which consumers want brand names. However, brands mean far more in the kitchen than in the bathroom (see graph, right). • Although modern styling is growing in popularity, 46% of survey respondents say they prefer traditional kitch- ens, compared to 37% who prefer modern kitchens. • 85% of survey respondents say they want an island in the kitchen, while 50% want an extended prep area, 82% want a walk-in pantry, 30% want a butler's pantry, one in four desire wine storage, and one in three want a wet bar. • Espresso machines, towel warmers and soaking tubs are all popular for master baths. Java is the most pop- ular cabinet color, with white second in popularity. • 48% of survey respondents say they want a larger shower with no tub, while 52% want a shower and tub. • Integrating outdoor spaces into interiors is a growing trend, and time-saving technology "is a must." ▪ Homebuyers Bullish, Survey Finds Source: John Burns Real Estate Consulting, LLC A new survey shows that kitchen islands and traditional design are in demand, as seen in this kitchen designed by Gary White, CMKBD, CID. Photo: Larry Falke WHERE DO PRODUCT BRANDS MEAN THE MOST 86% 65% 31% 31% Kitchen Master Bathroom Powder Room Secondary Bathrooms 12 Kitchen & Bath Design News • September 2016 CONSUMER BUYING TRENDS DEMOGRAPHICS & BUYING PATTERNS FOR THE HOME SALES MIDWEST AND WEST MANAGER Paul DeGrandis (847) 920-9510 Paul@SOLAbrands.com EAST/SOUTHEAST Joanne Naylor (201) 891-9170 Joanne@SOLAbrands.com Beth Emerich (781) 710-4745 EmerichB@SOLAbrands.com PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE/CLASSIFIED ADS Mike Serino (630) 699-2004 Mike@SOLAbrands.com EDITORIAL Janice Anne Costa , Editor (516) 605-1426 Janice@SOLAbrands.com Anita Shaw , Managing Editor (631) 581-2029 Anita@SOLAbrands.com Ashley Lapin Olian , Associate Editor (847) 440-9317 Ashley@SOLAbrands.com PUBLISHING SOLA GROUP, INC. 1880 OAK AVE., SUITE 350 EVANSTON, IL 60201 (847) 920-9513 Paul DeGrandis , Publisher Paul@SOLAbrands.com Eliot Sefrin , Publisher Emeritus Eliot@SOLAbrands.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Kitchen & Bath Design News Circulation Dept. P.O. Box 3007 Northbrook, IL 60065-3007 (866) 932-5904 circ.kbdn@omeda.com MAILING LIST RENTAL Elizabeth Jackson (847) 492-1350 ext. 18 ejackson@meritdirect.com KitchenBathDesign.com ®