What Do Buyers Look For In A House?

May 19, 2023

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The Short Answer

There are some common themes amongst what buyers look for in a home. While the pandemic has added some new trends to the list, there are certain features that continue to stand strong on home buyer lists. 3 of the most common features on the list are neutral colors, energy efficiency, and low maintenance homes.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions many people will ever make, so it’s no surprise that prospective buyers can be quite specific about what they’re looking for in a home. Home buyers often weigh up the pros and cons of each property to see how it matches up with what they’re looking for. If you’re selling your house, it helps to be aware of what home buyers are looking for, so we’ll give you some insight into the most sought-after home features and what home buyers want in 2023.

What features are most important to home buyers?

While buyer needs can change over time, there are certain features that remain at the top of the list and have been prevalent for years. These remain sought-after features in 2023 and are likely to continue being popular features in the real estate market in the foreseeable future.

1. Energy efficiency

Today’s home buyers expect a certain level of energy efficiency in a home. In fact, 41% of real estate agents say that homebuyers are prioritizing energy efficiency in their home search more. Gone are the days when energy efficient features were an added extra or a bonus, sellers now need to consider remodeling and adding these features in, so that they can sell their house easier.

From energy-efficient appliances to energy efficient lighting and even energy efficient ceiling fans, there are a variety of ways to make a home more energy efficient. Getting an Energy Star rating for the entire home is a good way to show that energy efficiency has been carefully looked at and included in the home where possible.

For example, energy efficient windows, particularly Energy-star rated windows, make a big difference to heating and cooling costs. So does energy efficient lighting, so these are a big plus for buyers.

2. Neutral colors

Neutral colors throughout the home are something that potential buyers want, particularly when it comes to wall colors. Neutral colors help buyers envision themselves in the home and colors like grey or white are often used for this particular purpose. Neutral colors are more popular for interior design these days, and they allow for furniture pieces to stand out.

Neutral colors are attractive for buyers because it’s one less thing for them to do when they move, and their furniture and other items are more likely to fit in with neutral walls and floors.

3. Hardwood floors

New flooring is one of the most highly recommended upgrades for homes and hardwood floors are one of the most important features that buyers are looking for. Most real estate agents find it easier to sell homes with hardwood floors and keeping the flooring consistent throughout the house with hardwood is a sure-fire way to appeal to more buyers.

4. Low maintenance

Many buyers want homes that require minimal maintenance, especially those with busy lifestyles or who do not enjoy extensive upkeep. Features like durable materials, landscaping with low water requirements, and exterior finishes that resist wear and tear can be appealing.

The busier the buyer is, the less maintenance they will have time to do on the house. So, a lower maintenance home is more appealing to busy buyers.

5. Walk-in pantry

A walk-in pantry in the kitchen is in the top 3 features that home buyers want. For families, kitchens can often become crowded with food items, so having a walk-in pantry allows people to store more food and keep extra supplies in a separate area. In keeping with the extra space theme, this applies to the kitchen as well as the rest of the home.

Walk-in pantries allow for more storage space for bigger families, or those who are spending more time at home. For those who are entertaining guests often, walk-in pantries are also useful.

6. Backyard patio

Patios are one of the most sought-after features for home buyers. They’re easy to maintain and provide a great extra living space outside, or an area to entertain. For sellers, this is a simple addition to make to a home and won’t be as costly as adding a deck or porch. In fact, prospective buyers want patios more than decks or porches these days, so these can be a great investment.

7. Modern bathroom

An updated bathroom with a tub is a winner for home buyers. At least one of the bathrooms in the home should have a tub, because most buyers will at least want the option. Buyers are often looking for an open bathroom reminiscent of a spa. Sellers should bear this in mind and consider a bathroom remodel to add value to their home and appeal to more buyers.

8. Full size laundry room

Separate laundry rooms are a must-have for buyers at the moment. For buyers who are upgrading to a bigger home, this is one of the most popular features that they’re looking for, according to a survey done by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Laundry rooms make it easier for people to deal with endless loads of laundry, especially with children and pets.

9. Kitchens for eating in

A formal dining room is a thing of the past and kitchens have become the heart of the home. So, buyers are looking for kitchens with a breakfast nook, island or bar area where they can sit and eat. These are ideal for houses where there are children as they can do their homework here or eat meals. People spend more time in their kitchens than many other rooms of the house, so an eat-in kitchen provides a space where families can hang out.

10. Exterior lighting

This is a great way to add to a home’s curb appeal and light up the garden at night. Exterior lighting makes a home more welcoming and is useful for those who are hosting outdoor events at their home. It’s also a security measure and has therefore become a simple yet popular feature for home buyers to look for.

11. Home office space

The pandemic has led to an increased demand for dedicated home office spaces or flexible areas that can be converted into workspaces. Buyers want homes that can accommodate remote work or allow for a separate office room. Homes that have an existing home office, or the space to convert a room into a home office, are far more appealing to buyers in 2023.

12. Smart home technology

Home automation and smart features have become increasingly popular. Buyers often look for properties with smart thermostats, security systems, lighting controls, and other connected devices that enhance convenience, comfort, and energy efficiency. These are useful to have in homes, as they can add to the appeal for buyers in a big way.

13. Open floor plans

Many buyers prefer open and flexible floor plans that create a sense of space, allow for easy entertaining and provide better flow between rooms. Open kitchens, spacious living areas, and ample natural light are the ideal combination that buyers are looking for. The dining room has become less important, and an open plan living area has become the focus.

However, these open floor plans should also include a way to create private spaces for working. People that are working from home are often looking for an area in the house where they can take calls and have some quiet time to focus.

14. Remodeled bathroom

One of the most popular features that homebuyers are looking for is remodeled bathrooms. Outdated bathrooms can be very off putting for buyers, and a primary bathroom that has all new features is very attractive. The key is to focus on proper ventilation, more storage space, large showers and good lighting.

15. Ceiling fans

While this may sound like a simple, small feature that isn’t particularly noticeable, ceiling fans are one of the most desirable features among homebuyers. Generally, ceiling fans help homeowners save on their utility bills, improve ventilation and reduce the risk of mold and mildew in homes. This makes them an attractive feature, and an easy one to install.

Has the pandemic changed what home buyers want?

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world and along with it, people’s lifestyles and therefore choice in homes. According to a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey, in 2021 the number of people wanting to move to the suburbs increased as a result of the pandemic, from 26% to 30%. About 42% of respondents who had to telecommute for work or school said that the pandemic had impacted their house preferences.

Since then, people are still moving to the suburbs and out of the big metropolitan areas, and working from home has remained a popular structure for many companies. As such, some home features have become more attractive to home buyers.

Here’s a quick look at some of the changes that can be seen amongst home buyer trends since the pandemic.

The stay-at-home culture that has been created as a result of the pandemic lends itself to more people wanting homes that can accommodate a home office. As freelance work and the “gig economy” grows, this also feeds into the home office trend, and this has become one of the most popular and necessary features that home buyers are looking for now.
More space and natural light in homes have become features that home buyers are attracted to. Having to spend more time at home has led to many people wanting a home that’s light and airy, so that they don’t feel quite as confined. The larger the space, and the more natural light a home has, the more appealing it will be to buyers these days.
Outdoor space has become even more popular amongst home buyers who are often looking for a place to entertain, without having too many people indoors. A large yard or patio is now a consideration for buyers, whereas in times gone by this may not have been necessary. The more time people spend at home, the more important the outdoor space becomes as people are looking for homes that allow them to entertain guests.
A large portion of home buyers want to move to outlying suburbs since the pandemic, with walkability to amenities becoming a more important consideration than before. As a result, there has been a major trend of people moving out of the major metropolitan areas, to more affordable and quieter areas.
More storage is something home buyers are quite focused on since the pandemic. There has been an increase in the number of people buying homes together that aren’t romantic partners, and this, coupled with the rise in work-from-home culture, means that storage space has become a key feature for home buyers.

What buyers are looking for in a house in 2023

As the trends shift each year, buyers vary in terms of certain features that they are looking for. While the features above are sought-after, there are also some newer trends that have emerged in 2023 among homebuyers. Here are some of the features buyers are looking for in a house in 2023…

In 2023, a laundry room is a sought-after feature. People are no longer satisfied with a washer and dryer in a corner of the basement. A laundry room, ideally on the first floor, has become an appealing feature for home buyers this year.
Smart home technology has become a more popular feature amongst buyers, particularly this year as technology becomes a larger and larger feature in people’s lives and people spend more time at home. Things like security, communication and energy efficiency are the top of the list for smart tech in the home for buyers. Some of the most requested features are a video doorbell, security cameras, programmable thermostat and a wireless security system.
Exterior lighting is a common feature for 2023 home buyers to look for, which includes landscape lighting and well-lit outdoor space. This not only adds to the curb appeal but creates safer outdoor living spaces around the home. Good light bulbs, and a few extra lights can make a big difference to an outdoor space and attract more potential buyers.
A patio has been a desirable feature of a home for many years however the pandemic has further increased the need for these. Home buyers in 2023 are looking for a place that they can sit outside and watch their kids play, or read, or have their morning coffee, and patios fulfil this need for outdoor living spaces easily. Most buyers are looking for homes that have a patio this year, with patios taking precedence over porches and decks.
Kitchen islands are a key home feature this year. They are a versatile feature in the home, and as the kitchen remains the heart of the home, these can be multi-purpose. Kitchen islands are a great place to eat breakfast, store items and even entertain guests. These can also be modernized and used as statement pieces with a pop of color or different materials. Which also means there’s less of a need for a dining room.

What turns off potential home buyers?

Home buyers are quite easily put off homes, and there are a few things that turn them off almost instantly, so take note and try to avoid any of these major buyer turnoffs.

An overgrown yard – a tidy and well-maintained yard is important, when showing your house to potential buyers, as an untidy or unkept yard is a quick way to put buyers off.
Lots of clutter – with the declutter trend in full force, it’s no wonder clutter is off-putting for potential buyers. The neater and tidier a home is, the better.
Bright colors on the walls – as discussed above, neutral colors are a safe bet for attracting buyers as bright colors are limiting for their décor, and changing the wall colors gives buyers another task to do before they can move in.
Your personal interests and photographs – these make it more difficult for buyers to envision themselves in a home, so it’s a good idea to remove anything that’s very personal around the house.
Unpleasant odors – naturally, these cannot be ignored and will lead to a potential buyer being put off quickly.
Not enough light – when light and airy homes are the most sought-after at the moment, homes that are too dark are likely to scare off buyers.
Wall-to-wall carpets (along with carpets in the bathrooms) – carpets are a thing of the past, particularly carpets in the bathroom or too many carpets around the house.
Swimming pools – these are divisive as some home buyers are looking for one and some don’t want the extra hassle, so swimming pools can be hit or miss.
Pets – invariably pets come with odors and can destroy certain features of the home, so having your pets around while showing the house to potential buyers is not a good idea.
A converted garage – people are looking for extra storage space and a garage provides just that, so keeping the garage the same instead of converting it into something else is a better idea, to attract more buyers.

Closing thoughts

While buying a home is a very personal choice, there are a few trends that have been established over the last while in the housing market. These continue to be choices that home buyers make even after the pandemic. If you’re selling your home, the features mentioned above should give you a good idea as to what most buyers are looking for and which home improvements you may need to make to your house before you sell it.

These may change as the real estate market fluctuates, so it’s a good idea to keep tabs on the real estate market before you put your home on the market.