Front Porches Again
En Vogue With Buyers

In 2006, 45.9% of homeowners said they wanted a front porch, reports The American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey. The number of new homes with porches rose about 11% in 10 years, says the National Association of Home Builders. 

PLACE/PRICE: Fairburn, Ga. / $269,900

TAXES: $2,690

THE PROPERTY: 3 bedrooms, 2 1/5 baths, 3,189 square feet

DESCRIPTION: There is a wrap-around front porch on this home, which has an entry foyer with two-story wainscoting. The living room, family room and nook include crown moulding.

NOTABLE: This home is in KB Homes' second community of Martha Stewart-branded homes. Named the LilyPond home, it is inspired by Martha Stewart's Lily Pond home on the East coast.

PLACE/PRICE: Sugar Grove, Ill. / $408,990

TAXES: $10,000

THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 3,200 square feet

DESCRIPTION: This home with a first-floor master suite has separate formal living and dining rooms, a den and an eat-in kitchen with access to a rear deck.

NOTABLE: Like every home in the Settlers Ridge subdivision, this home is within a five-minute walk or bike ride of one of the community's planned amenities including a clubhouse with a pool, parks, ball fields, lakes and a bike path.

PLACE/PRICE: Midlothian, Va. / $1.95 million

TAXES: $12,548

THE PROPERTY: 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, 7,600 square feet

DESCRIPTION: The pine beams on the front porch are from an old warehouse in Richmond. The porch also has a decorative tin roof. The master suite has a vaulted ceiling.

NOTABLE: The home is in a golf community. A media room with a wet bar and an office are on the second floor. The basement has a wine cellar with an adjacent full-size bar, a steam bath and guest bedroom.

Sources: aia.org, nahb.org, kimballhillhomes.com, kbhome.com, napiersignaturehomes.com

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