What’s hot and what’s not among today’s home buyers

The real estate market may be struggling, but buyers still know what they like and want in a home – and what they don’t.

According to Elizabeth Weintraub of About.com, buyers don’t want homes built in the 1980s, and they even pass up homes built from 1970 to 1999 in favor of newer or older ones. That means they’re likely to pass over homes with Formica counters, walnut cabinets and baseboards, shag carpet, gold-toned trim or avocado-colored appliances in favor of these more stylish abodes:

• Homes built pre-World War II, which includes homes with any kind of architecture with Old World style, charm and character;

• Mid-Century homes, including those built in Cape Cod or Frank Lloyd Wright style and may have flat or shallow-pitched roofs, geometric shapes, cantilevered construction and open floor plans.

• Mediterranean with Spanish or Italian details such as wrought-iron accents, dramatic staircases, archways throughout and rounded wall corners and grand, covered entrances.