NAR recently published a study about home buyer preferences. There were a few points that I found interesting...and have a few offbeat comments about.
NO HOT AIR! Apprarently, many places around the US do not have central air conditioning? I ask that question in all sincerity, because it never occurred to me that they wouldn't. Every property in Florida (with a few very rare exceptions) will have air conditioning. It's a given in our climate. So I suppose its no shock that everyone wants air conditioning when they buy a Florida home - but its the TOP desire in a new home purchase! I understand why, I find it funny though that the top requirement is a given in 99% of Sarasota properties. At least I look good when I hit that requirement in EVERY showing! :-)
BUT YOU CAN LOSE 10 LBS A WEEK! People moving in from out of state and buying their first home here have "a large yard /lawn" as a requirement for thier purchase. When people are buying their second home here, the desire for a yard drops dramatically. Although I didnt see it in the report, I suspect a great amount of Florida second home buyers look for maintenance free yards...the fact is, grass, trees and plants grow fast and year round here in Florida - and doing weekly yard work in 100 degree heat is, at best, a great opportunity to sweat off a few pounds. Its not horribly fun.
HURRICANE SHUTTERS TAKE UP SPACE! First time homebuyers in this area don't rate the need for a large garage as a top priority. Second time homebuyers do. Maybe the three hundred panels required to safeguard us from hurricanes are simply too bulky; maybe they have tried to carry groceries in one too many afternoon downpours...either way, the space to store everything AND drive a couple cars in out of the rain becomes a serious consideration.
In 2001, I was a first time Florida homebuyer. I can vouch for these things personally. I have a beautiful (air conditioned) home with a large landscaped yard. I have a 3 car garage which easily stores my one car, my three racks of shutters, several bikes, skateboards and the litter box.
In my second purchase, hopefully this year, I will lose the big house - air conditioning 3500 square feet is way overrated. I will lose the yard - can't wait to get a townhome on the beach! And although the garage was nice, I'll be leaving the hurricane shutters, and the new place will just have to have a parking garage!
I guess, even buyers agent want what they want!
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