Last Updated on August 26, 2025
Selling a home in today’s real estate market involves a complex approach: Online listings, social media, and an integrated marketing plan can help your listing stand above the rest. But there are only so many tricks for getting eyes on an uninteresting property.
If you want more buyers to take interest in your home for sale, then you need a home with the features that buyers want most! Here are a dozen home features that buyers are looking for right now.
1. Showstoppers
The first thing buyers are looking for when they see your listing is whether there are any “showstoppers”. These are unique and/or custom features that are rare to find in homes in your neighborhood or price bracket. While these vary by neighborhood, price bracket, and buyer, they could include in-ground pools, state-of-the-art home technology, chef’s kitchens, home spas, she sheds, or elevators. Even homes in lower price brackets have the opportunity to stand out by offering luxury amenities uncommon for homes of their type.
2. Smart home features
Did you know that 64% of Millennial home buyers value smart home technology as a primary factor when purchasing a home? There are dozens of smart devices designed to make your home at once more accessible and more secure. Consider investing in a video doorbell, voice-command thermostat, or app-integrated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With all the new smart devices in your home, you’ll need a central system to control them all. Integrate all your new devices together with a smart hub or controller.
3. A luxurious primary bath
Today’s home buyers want a space where they can relax and indulge themselves—and their bathroom is the place. If buyers don’t feel like they can clean up in the bathroom, then you won’t be cleaning up at the negotiating table. Does your home for sale offer luxurious bathroom amenities like a soaking tub, radiant heat floors, or a sound system? Luxury homes buyers, especially, are demanding new must-haves in this space, including chromotherapy showers and high-end bidets.
4. Inviting outdoor living spaces
You’re not just selling your home, you’re selling your whole property. Buyers today are looking for homes that are inviting both inside and out. They want a home with a back deck or patio and a level yard—at the very least. It’s even better if your home offers multiple areas for conversation, connection, and relaxing. This could include wellness spaces, fire pits, covered porches, and other areas that unite indoor and outdoor living.
5. Outdoor kitchen
One of the top home features buyers want right now is an outdoor kitchen. Gone are the days when the man of the house would wheel out the grill from the garage to the driveway. Outdoor kitchens are today’s backyard status symbol. Inviting furniture and simple amenities such as a grill and ice chest make it easy to keep the party going well into the evening. And outdoor kitchens are useful year round, in contrast to an inground swimming pool, which can be much less fun in the winter.
6. Low-maintenance landscaping
Homeowners may be spending more time around the house, but they don’t want to spend it doing yard work! The trend toward low-maintenance yards is only escalating as home buyers seek solutions that provide beauty while also requiring less effort and lower water consumption. Consider installing ground cover, planting native plants, or creating a meadow-like space to reduce the time and resources dedicated to maintaining your lawn. Irrigation systems are also an investment that will pay off at the closing table.
7. On-demand hot water heaters
Home buyers across all price brackets are showing an interest in on-demand (e.g. tankless or demand-type) water heaters. Unlike conventional storage water heaters, which have a tank that stays heated, on-demand water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. This saves money and is energy efficient—up to 34% more efficient, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The initial cost may be higher, but they typically last longer and have lower operating and energy costs.
8. Whole-house generators
Unlike smaller capacity generators, a whole-house generator allows you to use all or most of your appliances and lights in the case of a power outage. And who wouldn’t want that peace of mind? They connect directly to your home’s electrical system and gas line, and turn on and off automatically, when needed. This makes them ideal to have in place at second homes or for homeowners who travel often. As weather emergencies become more frequent, demand for whole-house generators will only continue to increase.
9. Home security monitors
Home buyers are also looking for another feature to have in place primarily for when they’re not at home: remotely monitored security systems and flood control systems. Imagine enhancing your existing house keys and deadbolt with a secure pin, a fob, your smartphone, or a combination of the above to open your front door. Better yet, being able to monitor who’s coming and going while you’re away, as well as the state of your home in inclement weather. Home buyers today value the peace of mind of knowing how their home is doing, even when they can’t be there.
10. Walkability
How much value is there to living in a community that’s difficult to access? As home buyers are increasingly focusing on community features during their home search, walkable neighborhoods are becoming a bigger and bigger draw. Streets in walkable neighborhoods are designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit, and mixed use buildings. Schools and workplaces are close enough that most residents can walk from their homes, and an abundance of parks and public spaces make it easy to gather and play. If your home for sale is in a location like this, shout it from the rooftops!
11. Home warranties
We have been moving from a strong seller’s market into a buyer’s market in many neighborhoods and price brackets. Now that they have more leverage in negotiations, home buyers are looking for perks. A home warranty provides an extra level of protection for household systems and appliances, typically running $400–800 a year. If you are willing to cover the home warranty for your buyer’s first year there, it could tip their choice toward your home.
12. Seller-paid closing costs
Closing costs are a major additional expense for home buyers to cover on closing day. The buyer typically has to cover the fees associated with the home appraisal, inspection, and survey (if one is performed). The buyer is also responsible for the title insurance, recording fees for the deed, fees associated with getting the home loan (including origination), and the attorney fee for closing. If you, as the seller, are willing to cover some or all of these closing costs, that could influence a buyer to pick your home over another similar option.
We can help you sell your home
Our agents know what home features, changes, and improvements can make a difference to potential buyers. We understand that having in-demand features is a major draw in today’s marketplace. Plus, we have built and fostered relationships with local businesses and representatives to assist you with repairs, renovations, or staging.
Check out our comprehensive home selling guide.
Howard Hanna Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company based on closed sales volume, with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Highland/Cashiers, and Asheville/Mountain regions of North Carolina, as well as the Upstate and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina. Howard Hanna Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the United States. The full-service real estate company has 480 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and more than 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states.
For more information, visit howardhannatate.com.
