Newly built homes have one feature that's luring buyers: Outdoor living spaces

Builders are increasingly including porches and patios in new homes.

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• As indoor space shrinks, outdoor living areas are becoming more important than ever.
• Porches and patios are making their way back into modern homes.
• They give homeowners a place to gather and feel more connected to nature.

A few features define the classic American home: a white picket fence, a manicured lawn, and, of course, the porch.

These were the hallmarks...