Whether you’re about to plant a For Sale sign in your front yard or are considering how to profit off your home’s equity in the future, it’s helpful to stay clued in to the features homebuyers are hunting for.

And while you can chalk up some preferences to individual quirks, there are a few aspects most people tend to agree on, such as luxurious outdoor lounge areas and impressive open kitchens. Check out this guide to get the scoop on what buyers want so you can upgrade your home accordingly.

Exteriors

Regardless of age or demographics, shoppers continue to prioritize finding a property with impressive exterior features. And they have a particular penchant for elements that emphasize efficiency, comfort, and modern living in a nicely landscaped environment.

Sustainable materials
Buyers are showing a keen interest in sustainability, in large part to reap the benefits of ongoing energy savings. Invest in features such as well-insulated doors, windows, and walls to boost your home’s appeal to these more eco-conscious shoppers. Likewise, if you’re upgrading any material components of your home, opt for salvaged wood or bamboo, which regenerates quickly to boast an overall low environmental impact.

Thoughtful outdoor spaces
Patios, pergolas, and other lounge areas have surged in popularity in recent years. Homebuyers now value having dedicated outdoor spaces for various activities, including exercise, relaxation, and hosting guests. Homebuilding experts also note that engaging amenities such as firepits and media equipment and comfort features like ceiling fans and misting systems are especially appealing.

Upscaled indoor-outdoor living
According to a Fixr.com survey, 78 percent of home-design experts labeled indoor-outdoor living as the top exterior design trend of 2024. Think large picture windows that provide expansive views of your yard and consistent flooring or color schemes across your indoor spaces and adjacent patios, creating a seamless link between the two. Even in cooler months, these features remain valuable, offering buyers the ability to dwell in the comfort of indoor heat without feeling isolated from their natural surroundings.

Lighting
This element offers multiple benefits that could tempt shoppers, including chic style, emphasis on attractive features, and the potential for greater security. Consider adding accent lighting to your home’s facade and around your outdoor living spaces, and incorporate sensor lights near all entryways and gates for extra safety.

Interiors

The top consideration for most homebuyers when evaluating their options is space, especially for those upgrading from a smaller living environment such as an apartment. Many seek open floor plans that still feel comfortable and purposeful while featuring the following value-adding elements.

Luxurious bathrooms
Older homes tend to have only half baths near primary living areas. However, contemporary buyers want convenient access to full bathrooms on the first floor to better suit the chaos of daily life. Those needing to accommodate multigenerational living also generally want at least two primary bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.

Home offices
The pandemic has significantly increased remote work, driving the demand for a separate area that provides the comfort, quiet, and storage needed to ensure maximum productivity. Staging an extra bedroom as a home office could maximize its appeal to buyers, helping them see its possibilities.

Open kitchens
The kitchen is indisputably one of a home’s most important rooms, and it has the potential to make or break a sale. Open-concept layouts that flow seamlessly into a dining area—and, ideally, an adjacent living space—are particularly captivating to buyers. Room for a table, a central island, and extra counter space are also in high demand.

Efficient appliances
Although aesthetics can draw buyers, research shows that they may pay special attention to a home’s appliances, most notably those in the kitchen and laundry room or utility closet. If any of yours are getting up there in years, investing in newer ones could fetch you a higher resale value, especially when it comes to your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher.

Smart features
Intelligent technology isn’t just for smartphones anymore; many homebuyers are hoping to find a property with such advanced amenities built into it. “The expectation is that . . . tech-savvy home buyers will continue to evolve and shop for sophisticated, tech-enabled homes,” writes Dan Weisman on realtor.com. To set up a smarter home, install features such as digital thermostats and energy monitors along with innovative security devices like smart locks, automatic lights, and cameras, all of which can potentially boost your property’s value.

Visual elements
Buyers these days may be drawn to certain elegant design features, including exposed beams, quartz surfaces, and a fireplace. Because the popularity of these elements can trend up and down, there’s no guarantee that adding them to your home will lend a high ROI. However, if you already have them in place, highlighting them in listings and buyer tours could increase your chances of landing a lucrative offer.

While this list of buyer wishes is fairly comprehensive, it’s by no means exhaustive. What each house hunter wants and needs will vary, and more particular shoppers may have highly individualized requests. To boost the odds of securing a faster and more profitable sale, consult with your real estate agent, who can help make your property a winner in a competitive market.