As the housing market shifts, builders and salespeople must respond. According to an article from the National Association of Home Builders, the shifting economy has changed consumers’ mindsets. The article cites the following statistics:

• 65% of consumers believe responsibility and good citizenship in home buying means having a home that is as energy-efficient as possible
• 42% believe responsibility and good citizenship mean not buying a home that is larger than they need (up from 34% in a 2007 survey)
• 22% consider lack of energy efficiency savings a deal breaker
• An additional 19% said they’d be willing to pay extra for a home offering energy efficiency

Since 2007, Newland Research has “uncovered significant changes in the disposition of the recovery consumer.”

• In 2010, 11% of consumers felt dining out was the best way to spend their free time (down from 48% in 2007)
• 23% felt that relaxing at home was the best way to spend their free time.

Just as I’ve always believed, the article says that the recession has caused a backlog of demand. This research shows that as these backlogged buyers re-enter the market, they will be looking for different qualities than they looked for in 2007. As always, asking the right questions puts you in position to meet the consumers right where they’re at and provide exactly the home they are looking.