What are buyers looking for today?      Housing trends and styles are in a state of constant change. But today, more than ever, buyers have a strong sense of what they want in a home.     This article will focus on what is hot in the housing market today. Whether you are planning on renovating, selling, or you are looking for a new home, this information will help you make choices that will contribute to both your real estate enjoyment and investment.     The Exterior     Let's begin with the exterior. Today, stone and stucco are very popular choices. Of course, brick is the standard material used with mass builders, but the more customized and trendy home builders are using stone and stucco on a more frequent basis. William Clarke, sales representative for Greenpark Homes for more than 20 years, states that builders such as Greenpark will incorporate stone or stucco for a premium.     Floor plans     Today, the preferred ceiling height is 9 to 10 feet. In fact, many builders today are offering 9-foot ceilings as a standard feature on the main level.     As far as floor levels are concerned, bungalows are hot nowadays. Excessive floor level changes are no longer popular as people desire to live on one or two levels.     Buyers still, ideally, desire four bedrooms in their home and would like, if possible, two living areas. (This is, of course, driven by the price points.) One of the living quarters can be the recreation room in the lower level (basement). Additionally, buyers still prefer a formal dining room.     At the higher-end price ranges, media rooms are a sought after feature. Cabinet space is important in these rooms for larger TV's. Furthermore, additional wall space is required for the now popular flat-screen TV’s.    Once again, based on price range, requirements for garages range from a minimum of one car (for example in townhomes and semi-detached homes) to a triple car garage. Nowadays, with family members having numerous cars, a 3-car garage is a big selling feature.     Another new consideration for home buyers is wiring. In our multimedia age of Internet, phone, and cable TV, wiring has become a key consideration for some new purchasers.     Storage needs have also become a significant consideration, as many homeowners own a lot of "goodies" that require more and more room. Large closet space (especially master bedroom closet space), pantries, and laundry rooms are a definite plus today.     Kitchen and bathrooms     Buyers place a lot of emphasis on both kitchens and bathrooms.     Excellent selling features for kitchens include: an abundance of counter space, a butler’s pantry, deep drawers and two sinks.  Stainless steel appliances are also very popular today, and in the upper end market, appliances concealed as cabinetry are very chic.     A very popular look nowadays is using refurbished antique tables and cabinetry as kitchen and bathroom cabinets.     Counter tops made of granite and marble are very desirable these days. However, the practice of using granite with 20-year-old cabinets does not work. The look is somewhat of a mismatch.     Most homeowners today want an ensuite bath. In many of the larger, upscale homes, it is not uncommon to have two master bedrooms with their own ensuite washrooms. Jacuzzis, modern shower heads and multiple shower heads are also popular.     Details     Buyers today also pay special attention to details. They want wider baseboards, and wider trim around doors and windows. This look mirrors the old European style.     Conclusion     Buyers today have a keen sense of what their ideal home should entail. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the viewpoints of many homeowners and buyers today. Be mindful though, that while the specifics outlined above may be popular, each and every buyer is unique. If your home doesn’t match these specifications, it doesn’t mean it can’t be sold. Every home has its own selling features.