These Are the Top Kitchen Features for First-Time Buyers

NAHB’s recent study, What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition, unveils the most popular home features for first-time buyers, and topping the list are spacious kitchen amenities like double sinks and walk-in pantries, NAHB Eye on Housing reports. Over 70% of survey respondents ranked other kitchen features like drinking water filtration, table space, and a central island as essential when searching for a forever home.

First-time buyers have had a tough go in a post-pandemic housing market characterized by soaring prices and a lack of inventory, but many aren’t budging when it comes to necessary home features that are too good to sacrifice at any cost.

At the top of the chart, 80 percent of first-time buyers rated a double sink and a walk-in pantry essential or desirable. More than 70 percent also rated three other kitchen features essential or desirable: drinking water filtration (78 percent), table space for eating (77 percent), and a central island (72 percent). Next comes a group of seven kitchen features rated essential or desirable by 63 to 67 percent of first-time buyers: pull-out shelves, a desk or computer area, granite countertops, an instant hot water dispenser, breakfast bar, customized backsplash and recessed lighting.

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