Buyers, Feelings, Decisions, Oh My!

It is no surprise that homebuyers make decisions based on emotion rather than square footage, brick and mortar. Here is a result of a recent survey that was conducted and published by the Florida Realtors Association (paraphrased):

The survey found 28 percent of women and 25 percent of men put more emphasis on their feelings about a home than they do on the layout, square footage or price. The majority of women (62 percent) and men (61 percent) know during the first visit if a home is right for them.

• Over half of women (54 percent) say that they take the lead when it comes to decorating.

• However, younger men play a larger role in décor decisions than their older counterparts. Forty-eight (48) percent of younger respondents, age 18-44, say decorating is mutual; this decreases to 36 percent for respondents 55 and over.

• Sixty-eight (68) percent of women say they are the “primary chef” for their household; however, nearly a quarter of men (23 percent) say cooking is their job.

How men and women feel “at home”

• Sharing financial decisions may get easier over time. Fifty-four (54) percent of people age 18-44 say major financial decisions are mutual, compared to 60 percent of those 45-54. This increases to 70 percent for people 55 and over.

• As age increases, so does contentment with the current status of a home. Almost half (45 percent) of surveyed adults older than 55 say they’re very happy with their home just the way it is, compared to 25 percent of those age 18-44.

• More men seem focused on making significant changes to the home (9 percent) compared to women (5 percent).

© 2012 Florida Realtors® March 28, NJ

Read More