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The pulse Luxe Life Just in time for the holidays, homebuilders are making changes to the amenities they're including in homes. Why? Because homebuyer tastes have changed in dramatic fashion. N othing dates a home more than the amenities inside. Remember when waterbeds were cutting edge in bedroom enhancements? Well, no more. As Americans prepare to say goodbye to 2013, they're also saying goodbye to some old trends in home design. Most notably, kitchen and cooking amenities trended down, according to research by Trulia. From last year, luxury listings avoided mentioning barbecues by 16 percent, and custom kitchen phrases and appliancerelated items were less likely to be listed. The new year will see a significant uptick in the homes that have roof decks and oversized windows. Terraces, gyms, and private elevators are all the rage in luxury homebuilding. Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia, notes in a recent blog post that geographical factors have an impact on these trends. As buyers continue to move inside urban spaces and as builders continue to grow upward, homeowners don't need a chef's kitchen. They'd rather look at the hot new restaurant down the block from their oversized windows. What's Hot, What's Not in Home Amenities Home Luxuries: What's Hot Home Luxuries: What's Not # Phrase Change # Phrase Change 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Marble Bath Roof Deck Oversized Windows Storage Space Terrace Floor-To-Ceiling Windows Ceiling Windows Marble Floors Wine Room Gym Tennis Court Private Elevator Large Windows Wood Burning Fireplace Outdoor Kitchen Summer Kitchen Pond Panoramic Views Ocean Views Walk-in Closets 78% 63% 56% 42% 42% 39% 37% 30% 30% 28% 24% 24% 23% 22% 22% 20% 19% 18% 18% 17% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Barbecue Hardwoods Plantation Shutters Covered Patio Lush Landscaping Custom Cabinets Fireplaces Double Sinks Stainless Appliances Pool Gated Community Center Island Bonus Room Granite Counters Formal Dining Formal Living Surround Sound Large Master Suite Gourmet Kitchen Breakfast Area -16% -13% -13% -11% -9% -9% -9% -8% -7% -7% -6% -6% -6% -5% -4% -4% -4% -3% -3% -3% Source: Trulia 12 | The M Report