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The latest survey by the National Multifamily Housing Council and Grace Hill aims to identify areas of interest in multifamily amenities and features. Respondents were asked to indicate their interest level in apartment features and/or community amenities, as well as their willingness to pay for each feature.
This 2022 survey includes comparative statistics from the same 2020 survey, as well as additional features of interest. Below is a breakdown of the most and least enticing multifamily amenities to consider for your developments in 2022.
TOP APARTMENT FEATURES AND PRICING FOR 2022
Features
Respondents were asked to indicate their interest level in the following apartment features. Of the respondents, most of them expressed high interest in apartments with pre-installed washer/dryer units, air conditioning, and soundproof walls.
Seventy-two percent of respondents would like better modular closet systems, compared to 56% of participants who said the same in a 2020 study.
Added to the list this year were pre-installed window shades/blinds, which 84% of respondents expressed interest in; premium finishes for 75% of respondents; enhanced indoor air quality (71%); and leak detection/notification systems (67%).
Among the lowest requested apartment features include a fireplace (only 29% of survey participants expressed interest), biometric access to the home (38%), a breakfast bar (55%), and a TV wall mount (52%).
Pricing
Respondents were asked how much more rent per month they would be willing to pay for an identical rental home that had the following apartment features. Respondents were only asked if they expressed interest in the feature / amenity.
The top of the list for this category is air conditioning, which respondents stated they would pay an average of $55.17 more per month for. An installed washer/dryer comes close behind at $54.73, followed by high-speed internet access at $47.93.
Soundproofing seems to be important to renters, as those who expressed interest in the feature would pay an average of $46.21 more per month to block out the noise of their neighbors.
And although 72% of respondents want a better modular closet system, they would only pay around $28 more per month for the feature. In-wall USB Ports join the low-end of the list at $31.66, along with TV wall mounts ($32.37), a fireplace ($32.63), and having a gear wall in the home ($24.04).
TOP COMMUNITY FEATURES AND PRICING FOR 2022
Features
Respondents were asked to indicate their interest level in the following community amenities. Of the respondents, most expressed high interest in reliable cell reception (86%), secure self-service 24/7 package access (73%), and a swimming pool (73%).
Interestingly enough, these numbers are down 5, 11, and 12 points, respectively, from the results of the 2020 survey. In fact, almost every single item had a lower percentage of interest than before—all but the new additions for the current year, covered bike storage (32%), and electric car-charging stations (27%).
Other notable amenities include non-smoking buildings at 70% interest, on-site backup power supply (64%), and properties with energy efficient / green initiatives (60%).
Among the bottom of the list are resident-only car-sharing services (17%), scooter sharing (18%), an on-site childcare center (19%), and a bike repair area (21%). Also, before you start adding pickleball courts to all your new developments, only 22% of respondents expressed interest in the feature.
Pricing
Respondents were asked how much more rent per month they would be willing to pay for an identical rental home that had the following community amenities. Respondents were only asked if they expressed interest in the feature / amenity.
The top of the list in this category is an on-site childcare center, which respondents stated they would pay an average of $47.91 more per month for. Non-smoking buildings are important to residents as well, coming in second at $44.55.
Reliable cell reception seems to also be an important factor, as 86% of respondents said they would pay an average of $42.78 more each month to maintain that.
Among the bottom of the list, however, include a communal professional grade kitchen ($36.35), controlled property/amenity access ($36.55), rentable co-working space ($36.60), and—yep—a pickleball court ($37.38).
To view more insights from the survey, visit the National Multifamily Housing Council website.
