Home Builders Recognize what Women Want

[missmanors]

Some businesses are now looking to women as those making the decisions on new home building, or renovations to an existing home. One large home improvement store redesigned its merchandising and floor plans to appeal to women after discovering that women were making the final decision in most purchases. This company did three years of research and development for its home designs and contractor education.

They found that they needed to look at several factors important to women in building homes, how the house entertains, helps a homeowner de-stress, has flexibility in design and how it addresses storage needs.

Companies are also looking to appeal to women more often, as women recognize the fact that those businesses are going out of their way to appeal to them and overwhelmingly choose to do business with them.

For most builders, it is a reality that women are making the decisions when it comes to the homes their families live in. They also tend to ask different questions than men during the planning and building process.

Most women want homes have features like a “rear foyer entry,” an entrance from the garage that gives families a place for the coats, cell-phones and clutter, yet is attractive to look at. Factors like a laundry area with sliding doors allowing the family easy access to the washer and dryer, without subjecting them to the often messy area when coming in the door. Women also want extra storage tucked into every nook and cranny and master bathrooms that are designed with huge clothing closets and separate areas for the toilet, bath and shower.