Brangelina may still love the McMansion, but most homebuyers these days are adopting a “cents and sensibility” approach. According to a recent survey by Better Homes and Gardens, 
36 percent of consumers expect to downsize when purchasing their next home. To these homeowners, however, smaller does not mean less. The survey found that price, energy-efficiency, organization, and comfort are top priorities.
Of those surveyed, 59 percent want a home office, while 51 percent put a flat-screen TV on the wishlist. Nearly 90 percent of respondents say they’d like to have high-efficiency heating/cooling in their next home, with 25 percent committed to geo-thermal heat. But even though everyone wants to live a little greener, 37 percent of survey participants say they’ll need a three-car garage. Think they plan to store compost bins and bicycles in that ginormous space?
It’s ok to dream, though, which most apparently are. Only 16 percent of those surveyed actually think now is a good time to spend money on home improvements, with 52 percent still needing to fix those leaky faucets and other areas around the house.
By Rachel Cericola
