A recent study by Avid Ratings Company of 22,000 homeowners revealed some interesting trends in homebuyer preferences and identified some differences between Canadian and American homebuyers.
In Canada, pproximately12,000 homebuyers were surveyed from BC, Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick. The findings included:
- Home office or study space is more important than having a home theatre. This is a major shift in consumer preference attributed to changes in technology with more people using laptops instead of TV’s as a primary source of entertainment and/or economic factors such as the shrinking of discretionary income for home theatre spending and more people working from home.
- Homebuyers would much prefer a large kitchen with an island than a formal dining room.
The differences between Canadians and Americans include:
- Two-thirds of Canadians want an all brick exterior. One-third of Americans feel this is important.
- Having a three-car garage is much more important to Americans than Canadians. 40% of American empty nesters rate this as a “must have” or a “really want”, almost double the Canadian results.
- Canadians feel nice neighborhoods with playgrounds are important. Americans, not so much.
- 66% of Americans want ceiling fans. Canadians, only 20%.
- More Americans want outdoor kitchens and main floor master bedrooms than their Canadian counterparts.
The results are an interesting reflection on our society, demographics and lifestyles.
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