According to the National Association of Home Builders only 41% of newly constructed homes have fireplaces. Why, you ask? MONEY! New construction homes are increasing rapidly in price due to a rapidly increase in constructions costs, costs of land, lack of qualified  contractors…name a reason. So in one aspect for homes builders to keep their homes affordable is to nix the fireplace. In fact, 7% of homes constructed in 2018 (were considered “starter homes”) which are priced less than $150,000 had fireplaces in them. Yet if you look at the luxury side of new construction homes, which are homes priced at $500,000 and above, it was 60% of new homes built had fireplaces in them. 

In your opinion what would you rather have? A fireplace or a lower priced home?