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The Chattanooga area is steadily gaining a reputation as one of the most desirable places to live in the nation, particularly among younger adults drawn to a strong job market and thriving arts and music scene.  A recent nationwide study examining housing preferences across generations sheds some surprising light on how these younger residents choose a new home.

Forget what you think you know about Millennial homebuyers. Despite prevailing assumptions that the 18-to-34 age group would opt for all things less conventional, sleeker, greener, the most immediate, a study by the National Association of Home Builders shows something quite different. Here are just a few of the findings:
• Young homebuyers want to buy a traditional single-family detached home (as opposed to a condo or duplex) just as much as any other age group.

• More than the older age groups, younger homeowners and buyers prefer bigger homes with more square footage and more bedrooms.
• Millennials are the only age group that list three outdoor spaces (patio, front porch, and deck) and exterior lighting all among the top features they want in a new home.
• While other age groups ranked Energy Star® ratings for the whole home and windows very high on their most wanted list, the feature did not even rank on Millennials’ top ten list.
• Younger homebuyers cited a separate laundry room and a conventional living room as two of their top most desired rooms in a house.

The study is particularly interesting in its overarching finding that Millennials do not necessarily want the same type of starter home typical of younger families in the past. They are waiting longer to buy their homes, getting married later, and holding out for larger homes they can grow into over time. The study’s executive report can be found at www.housingeconomics.com.

Whatever your age group or home preferences, members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga can help you build or renovate your ideal home. Call us at 423.624.9992 or visit us online at www.hbagc.net.
 

HBAGC members looking to streamline business operations and better serve new and existing customers should check out NAHB's "Builder Books" at ebooks.builderbooks.com. Everything from jobsite safety, social media, and building codes to financial forecasting, managing employees, and construction contracts. It's all there!

What: HBAGC First Annual Fishing Tournament

When: Saturday, June 18

Where: Chester Frost Park

Cost: Entry fee $120 per boat (2 participants per boat)

Prizes: 1st Place - $1,000, 2nd Place - $750, 3rd Place - $500, Big Fish - $250, plus Door Prizes!!!

For complete details and rules, go to www.hbagc.net

Contact: Nicole Gosciniak at 423-624-9992 or ngosciniak@hbagc.net

Springtime is a happy time in Chattanooga. Compared to the colder, darker days of winter, spring is the opportunity for a fresh start – from planting a new flowerbed to starting a new baseball season. And for many area residents, it’s when they plan on buying a new home.

As the momentum of home buying season continues to grow, the home building industry celebrates New Homes Month in April. At this time of year, hundreds of Chattanoogans are starting their search for the new home that’s perfect for their lifestyle. That is why we want to take this month-long opportunity to showcase the many advantages of owning a newly constructed home.

Many home buyers are seeking a unique new home that offers energy efficiency, spaciousness and warranties. They also want the ability to select their favorite appliances, flooring, paint colors and other design elements to give their home a personal touch from the day they move in. 

But those characteristics are just some of the countless advantages of buying a new home. There are many other benefits of owning a new home that might be less obvious, but are often found to be just as valuable.

Strong Sense of Community

One of the built-in benefits of many new homes is the new neighborhood. When families move into a new community at the same time, lasting bonds of friendship and neighborliness often form right away. Many home builders will host community block parties in these developments to help neighbors of all ages meet and connect.

Ability to Entertain
Older homes are often smaller and therefore more challenging in which to host gatherings with friends and family. Today’s home builders are creating more open spaces with higher ceilings, larger windows and expansive great rooms for added convenience and modern living. 

A Clean Slate
When moving into a new home, you won’t have to spend hours stripping dated wallpaper or painting over an ugly wall color. There are no oil stains to remove in the garage, no windows to replace, no walls to be torn down. Everything is already just the way you want it.

Peace of Mind
Building standards have changed a great deal over the decades, almost as fast as technology has evolved. New homes can accommodate today’s advanced technology and be customized to meet the individual home owner’s needs. And knowing that the home was built to the latest safety codes gives the owner added assurance.

For more information on the benefits of a new home, contact Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at 423.624.9992 or visit the National Association of Home Builders online at nahb.org.