What owners and buyers really want this season
By NOREEN SEEBACHER
FOR THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: December 10, 2005)
Diamonds are dazzling, but homeowners and prospective buyers may be more impressed with gifts of granite and stainless steel.
They'll also be awed with extra bathrooms, walk-in closets, bonus space for offices, game rooms and private retreats, and outdoor kitchens with natural stone patios. Their wish lists include virtually anything that boasts quality, convenience and style, and products that until recently existing only in their imaginations, like self-cleaning window glass.
That is the word from real estate agents, architects and home remodeling contractors, who concur that homeowners and buyers have eclectic and often expensive seasonal wish lists. They have replaced visions of sugarplums with visions of a better quality of life, and property with more appeal to prospective buyers.
State-of-the-art kitchens and baths are still at the top of their lists. "Everyone wants kitchens with lots of granite and stainless steel appliances, even if they don't plan to do much cooking," said Scott Stiefvater, co-owner of Stiefvater Real Estate in Pelham.
Stainless steel finishes are in demand in both large and small kitchens, for both high-end pro-style appliances as well as at more affordable products. To minimize smudges, manufacturers have developed stainless finishes that resist fingerprinting — especially attractive options for households with small children.
Buyers want stainless steel and granite — in everything from estate size homes to more modest properties. All 66 condominium and townhouse units at Marbury Corners in Pelham, for example, feature GE Profile stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The units sell for $472,445 to $1.13 million.
Owners and buyers have other dreams, too — ranging from mudrooms to extra space for everything from relaxation to relatives. They want storage systems for closets and garages, outdoor kitchens and natural stone patios, and "They pretty much want everything," said Joan O'Meara, an agent with Coldwell Banker Country Properties in Rye.
They're also willing to pay for it, as long as the quality and craftsmanship warrant the cost.
A recent survey by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) found consumers want more informality, greater room-use flexibility and more ease of maintenance. The national Home Design Trends Survey, released in late August, reported strong demand for hobby and game rooms, home offices, laundry rooms and mudrooms, where both children and adults can stash shoes, coats and backpacks.
It also found homeowners want private space for relatives and caregivers, including separate wings for children or guests, in-law or au pair suites and bedrooms off the kitchen or garage. In addition, homeowners want low-maintenance materials and storage, including pantries.
The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 600 architecture firms that focus their practice in the residential sector.
Margo Weiss of Suffern said she's always trying to improve her home. "Even if you remodeled last year, there's always something new to consider. Every time I read about home improvement, I get an idea for something that seems like it would be perfect for my home," she said.
If you can't think of anything to get a homeowner or prospective buyer on your holiday list, consider these
An amazing kitchen: Almost every homeowner — 97 percent, according to a 2004 survey by Wilsonart Laminate, wants to change something about their kitchens. They most often want to change cabinets, floors and the size of the space. The National Kitchen and Bath Association notes that kitchens are becoming more multi-functional, as evidenced by growing demand for an entertainment area, complete with computer and television.
At the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas last summer, several design trends surfaced. They include built-in coffeemakers; drawer appliances — microwaves, refrigerators and warming units that fit into the kitchen cabinets; and secondary kitchens or butler's pantries, with small sinks, 12-inch cook tops, beverage refrigerators, and, often, a second dishwasher.
Other possibilities include high-tech appliances, furniture style cabinetry, especially with light paint or dark stains, stainless steel and the clean lines of Asian and European design.
Beautiful baths: Moen, a plumbing products manufacturer, recently conducted a major survey on the state of the nation's bathrooms. According to the North Olmsted, Ohio-based firm, most homeowners have small master bathrooms and even smaller second bathrooms. Small bathrooms — 75 square feet or less — are the standard in all but the largest and newest homes. Not surprisingly, better bathrooms are a popular wish.
Absolute Remodeling of Yorktown Heights, for example, recently transformed a Larchmont master bath to a private home spa. The remodel features a $6,000 soaking tub, custom steam shower with built-in bench, body sprays, hand held shower and an oversized, overhead showerhead, 7-foot vanity with double under-mounted bowls, granite countertop, four skylights, extensive tumbled marble tile work and 11-inch LCD TV.
Bathroom additions and renovations are popular even with homeowners with less space and smaller budgets. You may be able to fit a powder room in the space beneath a staircase, enlarge an existing bath by annexing space from an adjoining closet, hall, pantry or room, or create more room by pushing out a wall to gain extra square footage.
Usually, an architect can find a way. "You have to consider building codes, fixtures and overall design," said Scott Fisher, vice president of Mitchell Wilk Architecture in Rye.
Also high on wish lists are two-person whirlpool tubs with individual controls for personal preference; multi-function tubs with air-jets, chromatherapy (light therapy) and heating elements; and ceiling mounted rain shower-type showers that are both large and efficient.
Homes within a home: Whether you call them in-law suites, au pair units, children's wings or accessory apartments, one thing is clear. Interest in providing space within the home for family and caregivers is growing. According to the recent AIA survey, 22 percent of the surveyed firms reported an increase in dedicated wings or additions for in-home childcare providers, and for bringing elderly parents into the home.
An in-law or au pair unit is an area that is separate from the main part of the house, and generally set up with its own kitchen. Unlike a duplex or triplex, they are sometimes permitted in residential neighborhoods that are zoned for single-family dwellings. More often, they are added in violation of local building codes — a potential problem in the event of a sale.
Sherry Sohn, broker/owner of Sohn Real Estate in New City, said it is rare to find legal accessory apartments, especially when the separate unit is located on the main living level. Sohn is marketing a six-bedroom, three-bath Colonial in New City that includes a mother-daughter apartment. It is on the market for $749,900.
Better basements: Ian Willis and Robyn Moir have a new place to celebrate the holidays this year — the newly refinished basement of the 1920 Tudor they bought 12 years ago in New Rochelle. Last year, they transformed the semi-finished basement to multi-purpose living space, complete with a wet bar and a full bathroom with custom shower.
"We got much more out of the space than we expected. It has become a functional and usable part of our house," Robyn Moir said.
Basements have hidden potential for anything from playrooms to home theaters. Since many basements lack natural light, they are perfect spots to set up a home theater or a photographic dark room. And because the basement is isolated from the rest of the house, it creates a sound buffer for play areas, a space for teens to hang out with friends or to practice a musical instrument. Basements also provide ready access to water lines and heating and cooling ducts, which makes it easier to add a bath there than it is in other parts of the house.
To be considered living space, basement renovations have to meet building codes. Most building codes require every room to have two ways to exit. A window may be considered a way to exit, but only if the bottom of that window is no higher than 54 inches from the finished floor. In addition, the ceiling should be at least 7 foot 6 inches — high enough for smoke to have a place to gather in the event of fire.
Improved energy efficiency: Because of increasing energy costs, homeowners are becoming increasingly sensitive to energy usage in their homes. More than 40 percent of the firms surveyed by the AIA reported an increase in the popularity of efficient energy-management building principles and materials, including solar, geothermal and renewable electrical energy sources. Geothermal systems, for example, have significant energy-saving potential because they take advantage of heat that has been stored in the earth.
In addition to major renovations, homeowners are taking small but practical steps to save on heating costs, like adding insulation and putting glass doors on the fireplace. Fireplaces are notorious energy wasters. According to the Department of Energy, an open damper in a fireplace is the equivalent of having a 30-by-6-inch hole in the roof, or about 180 square inches.
Starting Jan. 1, consumers can receive tax incentives for specific energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. Up to $500 in tax credits are available for adding home insulation, and installing energy efficient windows, appliances, heating and cooling systems. Even higher tax credits are available for installation of solar energy systems, and use of high-efficiency new home building construction techniques.
nynews.com
On the Web
The Tax Incentives Assistance Project has set up a Web site — www.energytaxincentives.org — to provide information about the new federal income tax incentives in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Check the site for details on credits available for a variety of energy efficient home improvements.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (www.nari.org) can help you find the right contractor to fill your wish list. Click on homeowners, then click on most asked questions. |
