Three Takeaways From the International Builders Show

Information was as abundant as optimism this week at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, where more than 75,000 home builders and suppliers gathered to discuss topics ranging from new building products to buyers preferences.

Many economists predict that 2014 will build upon the home-market gains from last year, bringing big increases in the number of homes built and of new homes sold. That bullish outlook contributed to rising attendance at the conference and a resurgence of exhibitors offering luxury and discretionary items.

Meanwhile, builders boned up on strategies to keep the momentum going, such as learning that buyers covet low-emissive windows and dont much care for outdoor kitchens. Heres a look at a few pearls offered up at this weeks conference.

1) Walk-In Closets In, Laminate Countertops Out: Buyers this year really like big closets attached to their master bedrooms. Outdoor fireplaces? Not so much.

The conferences organizer, the National Association of Home Builders, outlined the results of its December survey of buyers preferences. The top new-home characteristics most favored by respondents, in order: walk-in closets, low-e heat-reflecting windows, laundry rooms, great rooms, energy-star related appliances and programmable thermostats.

Getting the most thumbs-down votes from respondents: laminate countertops, outdoor kitchens,outdoor fireplaces, sunrooms and two-story family rooms.

2) New Homes Are Still Growing: Americans, when they can afford it, nearly always opt for a larger house. Consider that the average size of a newly built home in the U.S. has increased for five consecutive years to 2,679 square feet.

Census data shows that, last year, 48% of newly built U.S. homes had four or more bedrooms, according to a builders association presentation at the show. Thats up from 34% in 2009. New homes with three or more bathrooms increased to 35% last year, up from 23% in 2010. Those with three-car garages increased to 22% last year from 16% in 2010. And two-story homes rose to 60% of all construction starts last year from 51% in 2009.

3) Boomers Not Done Yet:The Baby Boomers arent ceding the home market to Generations Y and Z yet.

Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at research firm Hanley Wood LLC, pointed out at the conference that buyers aged 55 years and older are forecast to account for 25% of the home-buying market this year. That ratio is likely to grow in the coming years, he added.

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Three Takeaways From the International Builders Show