09/08/2026
51% of new-home buyers prioritized this over laundry rooms, walk-in closets
Exclusive Homes.com data looks at how interest in luxury aesthetics has cooled
A private backyard was a must-have feature for many survey participants, 75% of whom have a dog. (Getty Images/Westend61)
A private backyard was a must-have feature for many survey participants, 75% of whom have a dog. (Getty Images/Westend61)
By Madeleine D'Angelo Muhammad Shumail
August 28, 2026
2:25 PM ET
215 Views
Key takeaways
A Homes.com survey of recent and prospective new-construction buyers finds strong demand for practical features such as security systems.
More than half of the respondents said a private backyard is a top priority.
Kitchen trends are shifting from showpiece design to everyday usability.
Faced with ever-rising home prices, homebuyers are looking for function over aesthetics across the board, according to an exclusive Homes.com survey, with utility shaping everything from preferred materials to desired spaces.
Buyers focus on private backyards and security
When it comes to must-haves, spaces and features with clear, everyday uses are in demand.
For the New Construction Market Landscape Study, Homes.com partnered with Good Run Research and CMI Research in May to poll people who either purchased a new home in the past 24 months or plan to buy one in the next 24.
"We are living through one of the least affordable housing periods in our country's history, and that has clear implications for buyers," Ali Wolf, chief economist for NewHomeSource, said in an email. "Ask consumers what they want in a home, and the answer is usually the proverbial everything and the kitchen sink. In reality, though, many buyers are willing to forgo high-end finishes and extra features to keep costs in check as they navigate today's economic uncertainty and elevated mortgage rates."
While 47% of buyers focus on security features and 36% want flex spaces that can meet multiple uses, more than half of those polled, 51%, prioritized a private backyard. Given that 75% of the new construction respondents polled own a dog, the desire for a yard makes sense.
"I think another dealbreaker would be backyards that face the public street," said a survey participant intending to buy a home. "I would prefer to have it turned around where the front [of the home] faces the street and the back is more private."
Stay Informed
Get the latest residential real estate news, trends and expert insights delivered weekly to your inbox.
Related content:
Download the report.
See the full methodology.
How to design a new house that actually fits your needs.
One survey participant pointed to core building elements like quality insulation and water protection as must-haves for a new home they hoped to purchase in a Utah wildlife-urban interface zone. In that wildfire-risk area, the participant said, "quality of work" is a "must-have."
Some put oversized kitchen islands on the back burner
Likewise, 38% of survey respondents wanted a home that felt comfortable and showed a slim interest in the elements associated with the pure look of their house. Oversized kitchen islands were a priority for just 16%, vaulted ceilings and eco-friendly building materials for 17% each, and light/big windows were a priority for just 13%.
Surprisingly, luxuriously roomy storage spaces — think the walk-in closet and walk-in pantry — were the lowest priority items on the list, garnering 12% and 11%, respectively.
Waterfall-style countertops appealed to 50% of buyers overall, but there was a marked difference by generation: 49% percent of Gen Z buyers marked them as a priority compared to 13% of baby boomers. Instead, those young buyers prioritized ample island space, extra kitchen storage, natural light and “quality cabinetry,” according to the survey. Millennial buyers, a driving force in today's housing market, displayed similar preferences and a penchant for dark cabinetry.
"When home shoppers think about where they want to live, there's usually an aspirational component," Wolf said. "Can they picture themselves in the home? Hosting holidays with family? Inviting friends over for dinner? That's where the kitchen comes into play. As the heart of the home and a central gathering space, the kitchen carries outsized importance for buyers. Even when they're looking to cut costs elsewhere, many are willing to spend more on countertops, backsplashes, and cabinetry."
"That's where I spend literally half my time outside of work," one participant said.
+ Follow Homes.com News on Google(opens in a new tab)
Writer
Madeleine D'Angelo
