Home Sweet Home: Home Buyers Wish List 2024 Top 13 - Frederick Real Estate Online (2024)

Home buyers have preferences for features in a house that have evolved over the years, especially in light of recent events such as the pandemic. As buyers’ priorities shift, understanding what they value most can help sellers appeal to a broader range of potential buyers. The home buyers wish list of “must-haves” in their dream home has grown along with the “wouldn’t it be nice” list.

While home buyers are looking for “move-in ready” homes overall, there are several features that home buyers think are important to have in a home these days. My home buyers wish list for 2024 – Top 13 includes some old and some new items:
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Home Buyers Wish List 2024

1. Home Office

At the top of the wish list is a dedicated home office. Remote work is a trend that isn’t going away. Working at home has become a priority for many people, and studies are showing that a larger percentage of the workforce is not going back. Companies found that in many cases, productivity is up when people work at home. (Businesses are also finding that the need for less office space is saving money on their bottom line!)

Local builders are seeing an increase in demand for floor plans that have a home office included. A “Zoom Room” is popular. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 63% of homebuyers prioritize having a home office.

When setting up a home office for productivity, there are several things to consider. Ensuring natural light, privacy, and an ergonomic layout will make the space more valuable and useful.

If your home doesn’t have a dedicated office space, it adds to the appeal just to carve out office space in a kitchen or family room. Without sacrificing storage, you may be able to convert a closet into an office. Extra space in a basem*nt or attic room is also a great option for a home office.

One thing to be careful about is NOT to sacrifice bedrooms for a home office if it means you have fewer bedrooms than comparable homes in the same price range and area.

Sustainable Features

2. Energy Efficiency

is high on a home buyers’ wish list in 2024. The rising cost of energy has heightened buyers’ interest in energy-efficient features. From appliances to insulation and windows, green innovations are sought after for their environmental and cost-saving benefits.

There are many ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home:

• Programmable thermostat
• Energy-saving LED lighting fixtures
• Smart outlets can reduce waste, by allowing a plugged-in device to use electricity only when it needs it
• Wi-Fi-enabled ceiling fans can reduce your heating and cooling costs. They link up to smart thermostats and automatically adjust their speed and direction based on the ambient temperature of the room.
• Wi-Fi-enabled light fixtures are a great way to save energy when you aren’t even home.

On the topic of energy efficiency, home builders are noting the trend for smaller square footage in new homes they are building. Home buyers want “better, not bigger” elements. Our homes need to work harder and need to feel as big as they used to be. Efficiency is key.

3. Sustainability in Home Design

Sustainable features align with eco-conscious buyers’ values and can contribute to long-term cost savings.Sustainable features may include:

• Renewable Energy Sources: Incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines to generate electricity or heat water.
• Water Conservation: Implementing water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, or drought-resistant landscaping to reduce water consumption.
• Recycled or Eco-Friendly Materials: Using recycled or sustainable building materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo flooring, or recycled glass countertops.
• Passive Design Strategies: Employing passive design strategies such as orientation, insulation, and natural ventilation to optimize energy efficiency and indoor comfort without relying heavily on mechanical systems.
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Designing homes with features that promote waste reduction and recycling, such as composting systems or dedicated recycling areas.
• Green Building Certifications: Pursuing certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or ENERGY STAR to ensure that homes meet specific sustainability criteria and standards.

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Home Technology

4. Smart Home Features

Integrating smart home technology offers convenience and security, appealing to buyers interested in modern amenities.Here are some examples of smart home technology and how they appeal to buyers interested in modern amenities:

• Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats like Nest or Ecobee allow homeowners to remotely control the temperature of their home from their smartphone. They can adjust heating and cooling settings based on their schedule or preferences, leading to energy savings and increased comfort.
• Smart Lighting: Smart lighting systems enable homeowners to control the lighting in their homes remotely. They can turn lights on and off, dim them, or even change their color using smartphone apps or voice commands. This provides convenience and energy savings by allowing users to automate lighting based on occupancy or time of day.
• Smart Security Cameras: Smart security cameras offer homeowners peace of mind by allowing them to monitor their property remotely. These cameras can send alerts to the homeowner’s smartphone when motion is detected, enabling them to view live footage and even speak to visitors through two-way audio. This enhances security and allows homeowners to keep an eye on their homes while they’re away.
• Smart Door Locks: Smart door locks provide homeowners with keyless entry and remote access to their homes. They can lock and unlock doors using a smartphone app or assign temporary access codes to guests or service providers. This offers convenience and enhanced security by allowing homeowners to monitor and control access to their homes remotely.
• Smart Home Assistants: Smart home assistants like Amazon Echo or Google Home act as central hubs for controlling smart devices and performing various tasks using voice commands. They can answer questions, play music, set reminders, and control other connected devices in the home, offering homeowners a convenient way to interact with their smart home ecosystem.
• Smart Appliances: Smart appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines can be connected to a home network, allowing homeowners to monitor and control them remotely. They can receive alerts when a cycle is complete, adjust settings, or even preheat the oven on their way home from work, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

Real Estate expert Bill Gassett, owner ofMaximum Real Estate Exposure, says that many buyers want homes with integrated security and lighting that can be monitored over their phones. Bill told me that the technology is especially desirable in new construction where it can easily be added.

He went on to say that as home buyers have become more energy-conscious, they love the idea of remotely controlling the heating and cooling in their homes.

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Must-Have: Ample Storage

5. Closets, Garage and Kitchen Storage

Buyers prioritize ample storage space to accommodate their belongings. From closets to garage organization systems, maximizing storage potential enhances a home’s appeal.

If you don’t have a huge amount of storage in your home, make sure you make the most of what you have. Pay attention to your storage spaces and rooms in your staging. Cull the closets to show as much room available as possible.

If your bedrooms are small, make sure you maximize the space. De-clutter and minimize furniture. Try to use furniture that is scaled correctly for the space. Oversized seating is often comfy, but it is not the best for accentuating the spaciousness of a room.

This is just one reason why staging is important. It shows all the spaces in your home in the best possible light. Look at it this way, you’re going to be moving soon anyway…why not pack up a good amount of your stuff now?

Along with storage, an organized, upgraded garage is a moving up on the home buyers’ top 10 wish list. Today’s families appreciate a space large enough to fit 2 vehicles and offer storage space for their many activities. Having an organized storage system in the garage is a big plus for a home seller, especially if your garage is not large.

You can find garage organization systems in all the big home improvement stores, as well as online. They are not that expensive, as most garages are fairly uniform in size and construction. The added benefit of organizing is the opportunity to declutter and clean.

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Healthy Home Features

6. Indoor Air Quality

The need for healthy home features is one of the trends that has increased since the pandemic. Indoor air quality has gained importance, especially with increased time spent indoors. Simple DIY upgrades like frequent cleaning, ventilation, and biophilic design contribute to a healthier living environment.

With more people working from home, people are cooking more, cleaning more, and exercising more at home. “That’s a lot of moisture, carbon dioxide, off-gassing, cleaning fumes, and particles floating around in the air,” according to a recent study by Broan-NuTone. “Making healthy home options a standard and increasing healthy home technology will make homes very attractive to buyers of all demographics.”

Here are some suggestions for easy DIY upgrades to your home air quality:

• Wipe down surfaces more frequently
• Wipe down the items you bring into your home
• Vacuum more frequently, clean carpets and floors more frequently
• If you have pets, keep them groomed regularly. Pet dander can affect indoor air quality.
• Use the ventilation fan when you cook. Clean the filter often. Replace if it is not functioning as well as it used to.
• Open the windows to allow air to be recycled. Indoor air is up to 80% more polluted than the outside air.
• Refresh your bathroom air with a new ventilation fan. Newer fans are more efficient.
• Newer bathroom fans also have an LED light technology that kills viruses and helps prevent the growth of germs and fungi.
• Learn about biophilic design—incorporating natural materials to promote health and well-being. Plants help in air purification…and they certainly are pretty!

Number of Bedrooms

7. Higher Expectations for Rooms and Layout

Regarding the number of bedrooms, today’s homeowners have higher expectations than previous generations did. Modern families often seek homes with enough bedrooms to accommodate each family member’s needs. Flex spaces offer versatility, but maintaining a balance between customization and broad appeal is crucial. If you have rooms that you have repurposed for other uses, make sure you convert them back to bedrooms before you put your home on the market.

According to the latest housing trends study from the 2023 International Builders’ Show, the demand for four-bedroom homes has increased, while the overall size of new homes has decreased in 2023. Flex spaces are coming into trend, allowing homeowners to use them for what they need.

If you have a bonus room, then definitely show it off! Bonus spaces are great and add extra value, as long as they don’t come at the cost of a bedroom.

A few years ago we toured a large (4000+ square foot home) on 2 acres in an estate neighborhood. The home had only 3 bedrooms in a neighborhood where the comparable homes have 4 or 5 bedrooms. The original homeowners designed and built the home according to their needs and wants, not thinking of the resale. At the time, the home had been on the market for over 2 years. The only remedy is price in that instance.

When it is time to sell a home, sellers need to appeal to the largest pool of buyers in the market. If they have too many customizations, that can narrow the appeal of your home to buyers.

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Kitchens and Baths Sell Homes

8. Updated Kitchen

The kitchen has changed tremendously over the last few decades. While homes used to be more formal, with the kitchen separated from the other living spaces, in today’s homes the kitchen is the center of living.

As open floor plans have become common in all types of home styles, the kitchen is usually connected to most of the living spaces. It is often where family and friends gather for eating and socializing. As the heart of the home, kitchens play a significant role in buyers’ decisions. Updating kitchens with modern fixtures, appliances, and design elements can greatly enhance a home’s appeal.

Kitchen Renovation Advice

The best investment a home seller can make is to update the kitchen. When a home buyer is looking at a home, the cost of updating a kitchen is an expense they’d rather not deal with, and often can’t afford. If they see a kitchen with too much work involved to update it, unless there is some other compelling reason why they are in love with the home, they’ll usually move on. Or, they will deduct the amount they are willing to offer.

When considering kitchen renovations, homeowners need to be strategic. The kitchen remodel is the one place where you can get your money back when you sell…if you do so wisely. The kitchen can be the most expensive room to renovate. With some smart choices, like brightening up dark colors, replacing basic hardware, having energy-efficient stainless-steel appliances, and installing stone counters, you can get a good return.

How much is “too much work”? That’s a good question, and it can only be answered by taking stock of the comparable kitchens in your area and price range. Consulting a local real estate professional is a good first step, as they are in the market every day, seeing what homes in your market look like. Do some research on kitchen trends in your market.

9. Renovated Bathrooms

The bathroom is the next item on a home buyer’s wish list. Bathrooms are the second most expensive rooms to update but are crucial for buyers seeking a statement-making serene bathroom retreat. Minor updates and strategic staging can go a long way in refreshing these spaces.

Although you can’t hide major imperfections in a bathroom, minor repairs, and some strategic staging can do wonders in this area. There are some clever inexpensive ways you can update a bathroom, like updating the lighting or fixtures, painting in a serene color, adding plush towels, and a stylish decorator soap dispenser.

It is always wise for homeowners to make updates and maintain and repair their homes throughout the time they own them. Waiting to make updates until you decide to sell the home is a drain on your wallet. Similarly, deferred maintenance often leads to chronic problems that are more expensive to fix in the end.

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Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces

10. Outdoor Rooms

Outdoor Living Spaceshave become extensions of the home, providing additional living and entertaining space. Well-designed outdoor living spaces enhance a home’s livability and appeal to buyers seeking outdoor amenities.

Today’s homeowners want to have all the functionality at home that they get outside of the home. Outdoor rooms need to include living spaces, cooking spaces, play spaces, and outdoor theaters. There are many ways to add to the livability of the backyard. No matter the size of the home or yard, outdoor living spaces add value.

Outdoor living rooms can be found on a deck or patio, or even in a side yard. Creativity and some good old-fashioned labor can produce attractive outdoor spaces that add to the livability of any home. Add some inviting staging touches and you can add a lot of charm and appeal.

Well-designed landscaping can do a lot to improve the outside livability of your home, as well as the visual appeal. If you add landscaping, including hardscaping, make sure it is in keeping with your home’s style and size. We’ve seen many homeowners overdo it and end up not getting a good return on their investment.

11. Indoor and Outdoor Pet Amenities

Pet-friendly features to cater to buyers with fur children, offering convenience and comfort for their pets.

• Fenced-in Yards: Properties with fenced-in yards offer a secure and enclosed space where pets can roam freely without the risk of wandering off or encountering potential dangers. This feature provides peace of mind for pet owners and allows pets to enjoy outdoor activities like playing, exercising, and exploring in a safe environment.
• Pet-Friendly Landscaping: Pet-friendly landscaping incorporates features and materials that are safe and comfortable for pets to interact with. This may include grassy areas for pets to play and lounge, designated pet paths or trails, and pet-safe plants and foliage that are non-toxic and resilient to pet traffic.
• Shade and Shelter: Outdoor pet amenities should include shaded areas or sheltered spaces where pets can rest, relax, and seek refuge from the sun, rain, or inclement weather. This may include covered patios, pergolas, or designated pet shelters equipped with comfortable bedding or seating for pets.
• Pet Washing Stations: Outdoor pet washing stations are convenient amenities for pet owners to bathe and groom their pets without having to bring them indoors. These stations may include a hose, sprayer, and grooming tools, as well as a designated area for washing pets and draining water.
• Built-in Feeding and Watering Stations: Built-in feeding and watering stations in indoor and outdoor spaces provide convenient access to food and water for pets while minimizing clutter and mess indoors. These stations may be integrated into outdoor kitchens, patios, or designated pet areas, offering a dedicated space for feeding and hydration.

Overall, outdoor pet amenities enhance the outdoor living experience for both pets and their owners, offering convenience, comfort, and safety in the outdoor spaces of a home.

A Clean and Bright Home

12. Sunshine and Minimalism

A Clean House is a well-cared-for house. You can overcome many flaws in your home by keeping it clean, uncluttered, bright, and comfortable. Cleaning a home is the best return on investment because elbow grease is generally free!

Home buyers often cannot see clearly when they are making their way through dirty, cluttered spaces. They cannot “see” their belongings in spaces that are dirty, dingy, and not well-lit.

Get rid of heavy drapes in favor of light window treatments. Let the natural light in as much as you can. Of course, that means you’ll have to have a clean home. Don’t forget the smells…many homebuyers are turned off by an off-putting smell.

Even if you don’t need to replace them, make sure you use the brightest bulbs possible. Lighting makes a huge difference and is one of those details that gives you the most bang for your buck.

Updated Fixtures Make a Big Impact

13. Upgraded Lighting Fixtures and Ceiling Fans

Sometimes the most obvious things can get overlooked. Lighting and ceiling fans are so easy to replace with modern, design-friendly fixtures, for a very reasonable cost.

Trends change. Today’s brass has a brushed gold finish. Stainless steel is here to stay, but today’s stainless steel has a more matte finish than the shine of the last decade.

The last thing you want is outdated 90’s brass fixtures and trims. Outdated fixtures suggest to buyers that the rest of your home is outdated and not functioning as well as it should. These kinds of improvements are not expensive and can be easily changed out with a trip to the hardware store.

After exploring the top features that homebuyers desire, it’s also important to consider aspects that may turn them away. To gain a comprehensive understanding of what makes a home attractive to potential buyers, Luke Skar, of Madison Mortgage Guys, suggests several common features that buyers dislike. Among the top offenders are clutter and dirt, popcorn ceilings, dark rooms, and …egad…BRASS! Understanding both sides of the equation can help sellers make informed decisions when preparing their homes for the market.

Final Thoughts:Where to Spend Your Home Improvement Budget

If you decide your home needs some updating to add a few more features that are on today’s home buyers’ wish lists, you’ll want to make sure you spend your budget on things that will give you the most return on your investment.

You’ll want to invest in your kitchen and bathrooms, of course. But knowing what and how much is key. According to Angi (formerly Angie’s List), the average cost of home improvement and home repairs rose by 25% year over year in 2021.

Because of supply chain woes, inflation, and the costs of shipping going up, the cost of home renovation has increased. But, fortunately for homeowners, the values of their homes have also increased over the last few years.

As a homeowner, your attention to maintenance and updates is important throughout the time you own a home. Not only for resale but for your enjoyment. If you don’t have the biggest, best, most modern home in the neighborhood don’t worry. There are many ways to add thoughtful updates to your home that will increase its appeal to today’s home buyers.

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Top Ten Items on a Home Buyer’s Wish List was written by Karen Highland, lover of all things HOME. Pin for Later Reading: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4292562138579922/

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