Does Your Home Have What Buyers Want?

When it comes to selling your home, a term that gets used a lot is “buyer demand.” In our current market, buyer demand is high. This means that buyers are eagerly viewing a limited number of houses on the market. But what do buyers want to see in a home? 

We’ve broken down the top 5 features buyers love to see in homes, backing our opinions with the latest national surveys and statistics. These features are guaranteed to appeal to buyers and increase your home’s desirability on the market. Even if your home is missing a few of these key features, many can be added to your home with a small renovation budget.



Keep reading to learn the top 5 features buyers are looking for: 

1. Extra Space for Remote Work

During COVID, close to 70% of full-time employees worked from home. Despite the fact that most areas of the country are returning to “normal,” nearly 25% of businesses have yet to re-establish in-person work. Employee perspective on the work week is changing too. Some surveys report up to 92% of those surveyed expressing a desire to continue working from home at least 1 day a week. Businesses – and especially employees – are looking for greater flexibility in their 9-5.

This means that one of the driving forces behind homebuyers is the desire for more space. According to the 2021 Home Design Trends Survey, nearly 70% of respondents ranked home office space as one of their top priorities.

If you are looking to downsize, now may be the time to sell your home. 

   2. Laundry Room

Increasingly more buyers are interested in having a dedicated laundry room in their homes. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 91% of home buyers want a laundry room and 54% of those surveyed not only want the room, but consider it “essential” or “must have.”

Laundry rooms allow busy family members to hide dirty or folded laundry yet to be put away. It also allows for easy ironing right next to the washer and dryer, a much more convenient alternative to carrying clothes all over the house looking for space to work.

If you have a dedicated laundry room in your home, it will help contribute to your home’s demand! For those interested in adding a laundry room to help increase their home’s appeal, unfinished basements can easily be outfitted with new, energy efficient washer and dryers to create a separate room. Why energy efficient appliances? Keep reading to find out! 

   3. Energy Efficiencies

Increasingly more buyers are interested in having a dedicated laundry room in their homes. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 91% of home buyers want a laundry room and 54% of those surveyed not only want the room, but consider it “essential” or “must have.”

Laundry rooms allow busy family members to hide dirty or folded laundry yet to be put away. It also allows for easy ironing right next to the washer and dryer, a much more convenient alternative to carrying clothes all over the house looking for space to work.

If you have a dedicated laundry room in your home, it will help contribute to your home’s demand! For those interested in adding a laundry room to help increase their home’s appeal, unfinished basements can easily be outfitted with new, energy efficient washer and dryers to create a separate room. Why energy efficient appliances? Keep reading to find out! 

• New Windows: Old windows are poorly insulated, creating drafts and impacting home heating/cooling efficiency. New windows offer quality, durability, and often a warranty, plus result in up to 81% ROI.
• Energy-Star Certified Washer and Dryer: The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year, making laundry machines a significant contributor to energy and water bills. Energy-star certified washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular washers, and Americans could collectively save more than $1.5 billion each year in utility costs by switching to energy efficient dryers.
• Attic Insulation: If your attic is air-sealed and insulated, the EPA estimates you can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs every year. For most families, this looks like $200-$300 in savings per year. If you think your home may need improvements in this area, it is not a difficult investment! Get started with do-it-yourself resources or consider consulting a professional.

   4. Outdoor Living Areas

The same Home Design Trends Survey that ranked home offices as one of the top home features desired among buyers placed heavy emphasis on outdoor living spaces. When touring a home, nearly 70% of potential buyers envision themselves enjoying an outdoor patio or porch. Especially in high-end or luxury homes, an outdoor fire pit, built-in grill, or other exterior feature may be expected. 

If you have an attractive outdoor living space, give it a clean and make sure it is being used to its fullest potential. If you don’t have a dedicated patio or porch, trimming hedges, cutting grass, and performing other lawn maintenance ensures a polished exterior and helps buyers envision themselves utilizing the space.

   5. Kitchen Double Sink

The pandemic has forced many families to eat in more than usual, meaning the kitchen is getting a workout. Many homebuyers (81% according to the NAHB) rank a double sink as their biggest kitchen must-have in their new home. 

Double sinks offer the user more organization options while cleaning up dishes. Ideally, sinks are deeper than builder-grade so they can accommodate large pots and pans. Additionally, stainless steel sinks are more durable than attractive sinks like porcelain which are prone to chip.

Other desirable kitchen features include walk-in pantries, stainless steel appliances, water filtration systems, and a central island with space for eating.

Based on the latest studies, these are just a few of the features buyers are looking for in their home. The best way to determine your home’s unique offerings is to consult a professional. If you are considering selling your home, one of our expert real estate agents can help you determine the key selling features of your home for free. Contact us at 864-713-0217 to make an appointment with Dan Hamilton today!