What Canadians want in their next home

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Kitchen, storage, energy efficiency features top must-have lists

It’s often been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home – a sentiment supported by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s (CHBA) ninth annual Home Buyer Preference Study.

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Kitchen features remain the highest ranked category by survey respondents again this year, and kitchen islands and hardwood in the kitchen made the Top 10 list. Open-concept kitchens just missed the list (see sidebar), landing at No. 11.

“Kitchen, storage – walk-in closets, linen closets, etc. – and energy-efficiency features have consistently remained a part of the Top 10 Home Features over the last nine years of the study,” says CHBA CEO Kevin Lee.

For the second consecutive year, a walk-in closet in the primary suite sits atop the list. Just like last year, storage throughout the home remains a key priority for Canadians, with closet and garage space nabbing four of the Top 10 must-have features. Though there was some jostling of positions, energy-efficiency features continue to feature strongly as well, also making up four of the 10.

The challenge, the report found, is the gap between what homeowners say they want and how much they’d fork out to have it. Though more than 53 per cent of respondents said they were motivated by lower utility bills, 45 per cent would only be willing to spend up to $3,000 to reduce their utility bills.

“Again, this year, when asked what they would prioritize if they had an extra $10,000 to spend, 25 per cent would spend it on interior finishes and options, and 27 per cent would spend it on a larger home or larger lot,” Lee says.

Just 15 per cent would spend it on energy efficiency, while nine per cent would invest in aging in place – a number that increases to 22 per cent among baby boomers. Overall, Canadians are least interested in using extra money on their exterior finishes and being closer to work.

Survey respondents were also asked about the type of home they’d consider in the future. Some key findings:

• More than 45 per cent believe they’ll make their next home purchase within five years and 59.5 percent intend on buying a new construction home again.
• A little more than 60 per cent want their next home to be under 2,400 square feet, which is three per cent less than last year. The most anticipated size is 2,101 to 2,400 square feet, which is a shift from last year’s majority of 1,801 to 2,100.
• Boomers want smaller homes, with 61 per cent wanting their next home to be under 1,800 square feet. More than 30 per cent want a home to support aging in place and 16 per cent would like to downsize. Still, over half of boomers want that small home to have three bedrooms and 57 percent want two or two-and-a-half bathrooms. Sixty per cent would be looking to purchase a detached or semi-detached bungalow.
• When looking at the group as a whole, the most popular number of bedrooms is four, followed very closely by three. Just 10 per cent of buyers would be satisfied with two or fewer bathrooms – most want between 2.5 and 3.5.
• The type of home has not changed notably in the last couple years: 42.3 per cent prefer detached two-storey homes and 28 per cent want detached bungalows.

When asked what they’d be willing to accept to make their next home more affordable, the most preferred trade-off was a smaller home, followed closely by being located farther from work or amenities. However, preferences change by generation.  “Millennials would more strongly trade off unfinished spaces over a smaller home than other demographics,” Lee says. Again this year, very few people were willing to compromise on construction material quality or the energy efficiency of the home.

The popularity of having a legal secondary suite has increased this year, with 57 per cent of respondents saying they’d want a legal secondary suite for either their children or aging family members or for rental. Almost 20 per cent are interested in using a secondary suite as a long-term rental, which is up about five per cent from last year.

More than 18,000 homebuyers across six provinces were surveyed in this year’s study. “CHBA’s Home Buyer Preference Survey provides the industry with an interesting snapshot of Canada-wide trends and gives them an opportunity to dive into demographic-specific preferences, offering valuable consumer insights to help builders succeed in meeting the housing aspirations of Canadians,” Lee says.

“Successful businesses know how to leverage data in their decision-making process, and this survey is one of tools that builders should be using when considering how to approach their next home construction project.”

Other findings:

• Double sinks are the second most desired feature in primary suites, with oversized showers ranking third. A soaker tub is a must-have for just 21 per cent of respondents.
• Though open-concept kitchens dropped out of the Top 10 features this year for the first time since the survey began, their score didn’t really change much, with 83 per cent of buyers saying it’s a must-have or really wanted feature.
• A walk-in kitchen pantry is a must-have for 47 per cent of respondents, while just 35 per cent of respondents said smart appliances are a must-have.

Top 10 home features:

1.    Walk-in closets (primary suite)

2.    Kitchen island

3.    High-efficiency windows

4.    Walk-in closets (interior of home)

5.    Energy-efficient appliances

6.    Overall energy-efficient home

7.    HRV/ERV air exchange system

8.    Linen closets

9.    Kitchen: hardwood/wood-look floor

10. Two-car garage