Intesa Sanpaolo S p A : Two-Story Foyer Less Common in 2018

Information obtained from the US Census Bureau's Survey of Construction (SOC) and tabulated by NAHB, shows that the share of new homes with a two-story foyer declined nationally and regionally except the West.

According to the Census, a two-story foyer is defined as the entranceway inside the front door of the house and has a ceiling that is at the level of the second-floor ceiling. In the United States, the share of new homes with two-story foyers fell from 32% in 2017 to 29% in 2018.

Regionally, the share decreased in seven of the nine divisions, ranging from 6% in the East North Central to 21% in the Middle Atlantic and East South Central. Among these divisions, the West South Central has the highest share of new homes started with two-story foyers. The Mountain and Pacific are only two divisions to see an increase in the share of two-story foyers from 2017 to 2018, though the share is not very different from other divisions.

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A two-story foyer has been one of unwanted features from both buyers' and builders' perspectives since 2012, according to NAHB survey conducted in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Homebuyers consider two-story foyer as energy-inefficient. However, the preference varies across generations.

NAHB survey data in 2015 reveals that two-story foyer is more likely to be rejected by older buyers than younger ones. It appeared on the most unwanted lists for Boomers and Seniors, but not for Millennials or Gen X'ers. The most recent survey also shows that 50% Millennials want a two-story entry foyer, compared to 33% of Gen X'ers, 20% of Boomers, and 17% of Seniors.

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Tags: SOC, two-story foyer