After you have spoken to a lender and found out how much real estate buying power you have, it’s time to sit down and make your list of needs for your Atlanta new home. Are your needs common with the current climate, or do you need to be looking at a custom builder’s wares? The Equifax Finance Blog helps you decide by showing you the common desires of homebuyers from last year in the article, “

What Do Buyers Want in a Home?”

The Census Bureau’s 2011 Characteristics of New Housing report shows what buyers wanted last year and how tastes have changed. For instance, the data shows that the average home price went down by $3,000 while the square footage went up by 3.7 percent.

With that space, buyers were seeking additional storage and organization in their floor plans. From linen closets to pantries, storage space was always in demand. Walk-in closets in master bedrooms were the most notable areas that buyers wanted. In addition, buyers wanted larger garages. In fact, 19 percent of new single-family homes sold had three or more car garages.

To learn more about housing trends,

mortgage rates and everything real estate strategy and analysis, check in frequently with the experts at the Equifax Finance Blog.