Why Yard Space is the Latest Homebuying Must-Have
Goodbye, eat-in kitchen. Hello, outdoor oasis.
As millennials move up in the world and join the homeowning ranks, trends reflecting their priorities become increasingly clear. One of those priorities? A spacious and well-landscaped yard. In a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors, millennials ranked the yard as the top priority when house hunting.
They’re not the only ones, either: the same survey indicated that 79 percent of all homebuyers in the U.S. consider a spacious and manicured yard to be an important feature. So why the growing desire for outdoor space?
Outdoor Entertaining
Safety measures surrounding COVID-19 shifted lifestyles for over a year, and some new habits offered pleasant surprises. Spending more time out in fresh air, for example, may be a new practice that sticks.
With outdoor gatherings offering less risk than indoor ones, many households have prioritized a well thought-out space for entertaining guests outside, including finishing touches that make it enjoyable year-round. Backyard barbecues, patio potlucks, and fireside chats have all but replaced dinner parties in the last year, and the trend is unlikely to die out anytime soon.
Luxury Exterior Features
In efforts to make outdoor hosting smoother and more enjoyable, countless homebuyers and builders have added wishlist items like outdoor pizza ovens, comfortable furniture, water features, and seating areas shielded from the elements. Bringing the luxury and comfort of the indoors to outside spaces has made larger lots more appealing as that square footage begins to feel more usable. While ultra-green lawns are slowly falling to the wayside, homebuyers do not favor the tiny lot sizes most commonly found in upcoming developments lately.
Sustainability
Growing environmental concerns and a trend toward backyard conservation strategies leave young generations prioritizing gardening and composting at home. Compared to last year, searches for homes with gardens have increased by 42 percent, and 63 percent of buyers reported wanted a larger garden. Self-sustained households grow more common by the month, and aspiring vegetable gardeners need space for their sowing endeavors, for tool storage, and for compost piles.
Finding a home incorporating an ideal lot size, the right luxury features, and your lifestyle priorities can be next to impossible, and building with big box companies usually doesn’t check all the boxes. But all hope isn’t lost: custom homebuilding is easier than ever.
To start building the home and yard of your dreams, on a lot that’s the right size for all of your needs, get in touch with Atmos today.
