What do Millennials Want ?
Why do millennials get a bad rap? I’m an older millennial born in 1981 and I don’t understand it. We are generally a generation of tech savvy, financially conservative guys and gals who think the home is for enjoying – not a status symbol. The home is for LIVING! What is so hard to understand about that? We don’t need expansive formal rooms with ornate trim or gigantic master bedrooms and master closets. What we need is a smaller functional home that offers utility and flexibility and is simple and also stylish. Our homes should be comfortable, easy to maintain, eco-friendly, energy efficient and a good value for our money.
As a builder who now builds not only custom homes but starter homes – I get it. Many millennial buyers are searching for a highly functional home within their budget. They might ask – What floor plan offers the most usable space for our money? Many articles I read are calling it the ” Responsive Home” – one that responds to the owner and their needs.
What I have seen is that a builder needs to listen to their potential client, not talk to them about the cookie cutter plan that has been working for the last 20 years. With some research and my personal impressions, I have listed below what the “typical” millennial home buyer may like. Given there are about 90 million millennials in the United States I’m sure there is a lot of variation in what “typical” is and it will vary based on the region – but here goes for my area and personal preference:
- The most square footage and usable space for the money
- Open floor plan that offers options to expand later on if they like the area and the family is growing
- Wireless Automation
- Lots of windows to give natural light
- Outdoor room – not necessarily a big one
- Room to entertain inside and out
- Low maintenance exterior and yard
- Flex space dedicated to organization and work ( home office becoming more popular with growth of work at home opportunities)
- Home theatre wiring and sound
- Location with good internet and wireless service and good schools
- Scrap the built-in bookcases – they have tablets and e-readers – focus on good lighting and lots of outlets for charging
- NOT BEIGE – Grays with bold accents
- Unique affordable features – Functional separate laundry room with landing zone for STUFF or niches for charging stations