As individual preferences in home design continue to evolve, home builders can no longer hope to succeed by making cookie-cutter copies in the suburbs. Likewise, realtors trying to match up existing homes and prospective owners need to be aware of a household's current and future needs. An older four-bedroom house with one bathroom might seem like a tough sell these days. But it might be perfect for a young couple with the resources to remodel or an older couple planning to convert two bedrooms into a home office and hobby workshop. Life stage isn't the only determinant of home design.
Cultural factors play a role, too.
California-based architect Don Jacobs sees differences between the Asian and Hispanic buyers his homes attract. Asians tend to have more adults living in one home, and therefore require more bathrooms than other groups. Our Hispanic customers, on the other hand, have more children. They are more concerned with the number of bedrooms. Immigrants who arrive in the U.S. may be puzzled at first about our national obsession with homes.