When most people think of home trends, they likely envision a buzzy color or contemplate whether curved sofas are still en vogue. It’s easy to overlook the home itself, but please reconsider: Though a home might be your “forever” place, what’s in-demand and flying off the market is constantly changing. Not only can knowing what’s trending allow prospective owners to enhance their home-buying I.Q., but sellers can also ensure their property meets the demand.
So, what are homeowners looking for right now? Enter the realtors. These pros juggling several clients and listings at once, so it’s safe to say they know which features are moving the needle. Ahead, the details very well could be making their way to your neck of the woods.
An (Efficient) Air Conditioning System
Can’t stand the heat? Look for a home with air conditioning. According to Matthew Berkeley, a realtor in Los Angeles, it’s the “number-one thing people ask for.”
Air conditioning units might be popular, but other agents say homeowners aren’t willing to shell out the big bucks for them. Michelle Easter of Douglas Elliman says buyers are asking more questions about operating costs.
“With energy bills climbing, buyers are scrutinizing what a home actually costs to run,” she says. “They ask about heating and cooling systems, insulation, window condition, and efficiency in a way they didn't a couple of years ago.”
Speaking of which, have you heard about this secret to saving money on your utilities? You can thank us later.
An EV Charger
Let’s face it: Tech-centric homes can be polarizing. While some people like their forwardness, others might worry their interfaces will be outdated at supersonic speed. A happy medium? EV chargers, which Morgan Guthrie of Douglas Elliman says is becoming “a basic infrastructure” her clients “expect to find.” “An EV charger in every garage matters more than people realize. It tells buyers how tech-forward and functional a home really is.”
A Work-Friendly Environment
Buyers mean business about a home office. In fact, Gina Gerszberg, a New Jersey-based broker salesperson for Douglas Elliman, says it’s the one feature she hears about all of the time. Meanwhile, other buyers are looking for properties with easy access to the office. “Since more buyers have returned to work in person, being near commuting options to New York City is very important,” Gerszberg adds. “Many buyers want direct access.”
She says owners are looking for metro areas that are a quick train ride away. Yes, trains. Per Gerszberg, trains are more appealing than buses.
Multi-Generational Living
Homeowners are returning to the nest, so to speak. “With the transfer of wealth from baby boomers, multi-generational living has become a big focus, as well as guest accommodations,” explains Michael Reisor, founder of the Reisor.Team at Compass. “If the parents are paying for a home, they want a place to stay!”
Learka Bosnak, a real-estate salesperson in Los Angeles, agrees and says buyers are looking for enough room for nieces and nephews, siblings, or even parents to stay down the road. “It feels like a mix of the trend of home buyers thinking more long term and general shifts towards stability and relationship-based lifestyles,” she says.
So, what does that mean for the real-estate market? Buyers are looking for areas with plenty of living space, multiple bedrooms, and even an accessory dwelling unit. That’s right: ADUs are still having a moment. “They can be permitted guest houses or even workshops and studios—spaces that can give a buyer future options to do things they haven't even thought of yet without having to move,” says Heather T. Roy, a real estate salesperson with Douglas Elliman.
A Kitchen Island
Trends come and go, but a kitchen island remains non-negotiable. “Most people see the kitchen as the heart of the home and the main gathering space, so large kitchen islands and charming breakfast nooks have grown increasingly popular among my buyers,” says Megan Sullivan of Douglas Elliman.
Not only can a kitchen island be an asset for home chefs and avid entertainers, but it can also increase your home’s value. In other words, it’s the home-equivalent of a chef’s kiss.
Wellness Features
Why join a fancy gym membership when you can bring a little bit of wellness to your personal quarters? According to Sullivan, homeowners are keen to add wellness touches that can help boost their overall longevity such as saunas, cold plunges, home gyms, or even a private yoga studio.
“It surprises people because they still think of these as spa extras, not something a buyer actively asks about,” Easter adds. “After the last few years, people are paying real attention to wellbeing at home, and that's showing up in what they're curious about and willing to pay for.”
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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