Real Estate Views from St Pete

Sharon - interesting. I can't say that they are particularly popular here either. You see them occasionally, but buyers seem more interested in having a home office than in an exercise room, in general. And Entertainment rooms are high on the list as well, especially at the higher end of the market.

Jeff

Sharon, here in central Oklahoma, we don't see a lot of these yet. I have seen a few and really like the idea personally. When we build in the next couple of years, I will probably incorporate this into our plans, but as for a market trend, not here... at least not yet. Generally speaking though, trends catch on here a little later than other markets.

I see alot of exercise rooms here with very dusty equipment.

I think the desire for an excersize room or gym is going to be large in part subject to the price range or economic perch of the buyer

I have shown several that had exercise rooms but have never actually had a client looking for, or even voicing a desire, an exercise room.

What I find that is in homes people would like areas to set up exercise equipment (although when you are acting for the seller these exercise machines often are sitting collecting dust).  As for condos the majority of people are impressed when the exercise room is there and especially get excited when there is a pool (until they see the higher condo fee's for the maintenance and upkeep of the pool). 

Just like home theatres, they got lots of activity at first and then less as time goes on...

I have found that in Central PA the more expensive the home, the more likely a home buyer would want an exercise room - approximately $350,000 or higher. In the past two years I have not had one client in the under $200,000 price range ever request an exercise room.

Jeff - our coasts are similar in that respects. I get more requests for two home offices than I do for exercise rooms. Entertainment rooms and/or recreation (billiards) rooms are also more popular than exercise rooms. 

Ryan - it's always nice to be able to see trends in other areas. In Florida, we often follow California.

Chris - that's the story of life, isn't it?

Charles - agreed. I think that goes along with the size of the house. It may also depend on the age of the buyers. Some are more health and fitness conscious than others.

Gary - interesting. Judging from the comments here, it makes you wonder where NAR got their statistics.

Jon - yes, I see a difference between condo buyers and home buyers, too.

Al - indeed. That's why I like a combination of theater space and billiard space - room should get more use.

Douglas & Elizabeth - it does seem to reflect price range. Have you had many buyers over $350,000 that asked for an exercise room?