Exterior Design Trends? Homebuyer Preferences Run the Gamut

When it comes to discovering pivotal trends in home exteriors, home builders and designers will have to get comfortable with a lack of any clear consensus, according to the latest "What Home Buyers Really Want Study" from the National Association of Home Builders.

Also, interestingly, when asked about their material preferences for framing (wood, concrete, or steel), 48% or respondents who said they preferred concrete or steel did so despite "the explicit notice that those choices would involve $15,000 to $35,000 in additional costs," NAHB says. But for exteriors, here's the breakdown of buyer preferences:

In fact, there is no national consensus on exterior design. At best, a plurality of 34% would prefer to purchase a ‘traditional’ home (rooted in historic styles), while a smaller 26% would rather buy a ‘contemporary’ home (clean lines, sloped roofs, expansive windows). Far smaller shares of 17% and 12% of buyers, respectively, would choose a ‘modern’ home (bold, boxy, flat roofs) or a ‘transitional’ home (contemporary design with traditional cues) ...

PB Topical Ref