Top Design Trends

For the third consecutive year, home offices are the most popular special - function room among homeowners, according to the American Institute of Architects' Home design Trend survey for the second quarter of 2007. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of residential architects surveyed said homeowners are looking for home offices in their new homes compared with 51 percent a year ago. The survey also found that homeowners want more than a desk in the corner of the bedroom; they are looking for accoustic privacy, better natural lighting and, in some cases, a separate entry for clients. Other special -function rooms that are gaining popularity include a media room/home theater, a fitness room and a kid's or guest wing. Rising utility costs and greater enviromental awareness are also prompting an increasing number of homeowners to go green with their home designs, the survey concludes. More homeowners are demanding sustainable designs and energy-efficient products, such as tankless water heaters, geothermal heating and cooling systems, structual insulation panels, and flooring products made of bamboo and cork. I hope you had founfd this informative. Feel free to contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com .

Who's Buying

More than a million new households are formed annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with most being adult children leaving home. Among them, single women continue to be the biggest growth category of buyers (making up 22 percent of all buyers in 2006, up from 14 percent in 1995). The share of married folks buying homes fell to 61 percent in 2006 (from 68 percent in 2001). Single male buyers have been holding steady through the decade at 9 percent. If you have any questions feel free to email me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com