Shower and Tub in Primary Bath Essential for First-Time Buyers

Trends
Published

When it comes to bathroom features, a shower stall and tub in the primary bath tops the list for first-time home buyers, according to a recent NAHB study, What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition.

In fact, 72% of first-time buyers rated both a shower stall and tub in the primary bath as “essential” or “desirable,” followed closely by a linen closet, rated essential or desirable by 70%.

After the top two, 67% of first-time buyers rated a private toilet compartment essential or desirable, followed by 65% for a whirlpool tub.

Next comes a group of bathroom features rated essential or desirable by 62% of first-time buyers: a double vanity, multiple shower heads, a granite vanity and body spray panels.

NAHB senior economist Paul Emrath provides further analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Housing Affordability

Nov 07, 2025

NAHB Leaders Discuss Obstacles to Home Building at U.S. Chamber Housing Summit

In partnership with NAHB, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 6 hosted a daylong housing summit that included several panel discussions featuring members of Congress, industry leaders, and state and local officials that focused on how to resolve the housing affordability crisis and boost the housing supply.

Membership Recruitment and Retention

Nov 07, 2025

How NAHB is Thanking Top Recruiters

NAHB's Fall Recruitment Competition and IBS perks are among the ways all recruiters are being appreciated for their efforts.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Nov 07, 2025

Which Local Markets Track National Trends the Most: 2024 Multifamily MAI

Following the release of the 2024 single-family MAI last week, the National Association of Home Builders developed the Multifamily Market Association Index (MAI) to measure how closely multifamily building permits in metro areas follow national patterns.

Economics

Nov 06, 2025

Multifamily Developer Confidence Increases in Third Quarter, But Still in Negative Territory

The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 46, up six points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, down one point year-over-year.

Economics

Nov 05, 2025

Bedrooms in New Single-Family Homes in 2024

Three-bedroom single-family homes reached their largest share of starts since 2011 and remained the most prevalent number of bedrooms among new homes.