Sep. 10, 2008 - Buyers Crave Green More Than Extra Space

Buyers of custom homes are increasingly interested in money-saving features like extra insulation and energy-efficient furnaces, rather than game rooms and space for in-laws, according to a Home Design Trend Survey by the American Institute of Architects.

Sixty-eight percent of the survey's respondents said customers were requesting extra insulation in the attic compared with 56 percent a year ago.

Two-thirds of respondents said green products such as tankless water heaters, double or triple-glazed windows, and sustainable flooring products such as bamboo or cork were gaining in popularity.

Only 8 percent of the survey’s respondents said game rooms were increasingly popular among their customers, down from 23 percent last year. Home offices also declined in popularity even though they remain the most requested specialty room. Last year, 61 percent of custom home buyers wanted them; this year only 41 percent made the request.