If you’re in the market to sell your home soon, it might be worth knowing what’s at the top of home buyers’ wish lists. Now you don’t have to wonder, thanks to a recent study conducted by fixr.com, which reveals the top Seven high-priority items homebuyers are searching for right now.
Industry experts from the fields of real estate, interior design and new home construction were all asked to share their thoughts on the most requested items homeowners are looking for, and here’s what they had to say:
Kitchen island
No surprise here, an expansive kitchen island has been at the top of buyers’ minds for years and the latest studies reveal this as the number one priority buyers have when looking for homes. Buyers often cite extra countertop storage, increased seating and entertaining possibilities as the reason why a kitchen island is so high on the list.
Walk-in pantry
43% of industry experts interviewed said that a walk-in pantry was at the top of buyers’ minds. Ample food storage, plus a place to store smaller appliances like a microwave, toaster oven and more are highly desirable. The trend of keeping countertops clutter-free is highly influencing this heavily requested feature.
Laundry room
Keeping with the trend of having ample space to conceal the clutter, a dedicated pantry room is the third most requested item on many buyers’ wish lists. Consumers are tired of laundry scattered all throughout the home or always throwing clean linens on a couch. Today’s buyers are searching for a confined area with space to fold, hang up clothes and iron.
Covered patio
The fourth most requested item is a covered patio. As the trend of ample outdoor entertaining space only continues to rise in popularity, this wishlist request is certainly no surprise. Interestingly, a covered patio beats out decks, with 44% of survey respondents indicating a patio is preferred over 20% saying a deck is high on the priority list.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring will always be highly sought-after in the home search process. Besides the timeless aspect of the material, hardwood floors can be sanded down again and again, allowing future home buyers to refinish the floors to suit their preferences. This durable material is expensive, making it a coveted item.
Multi-zone HVAC
To save money on energy costs, today’s buyers are savvy and want homes already equipped with multi-zone HVAC units.
Full bath on the main floor
As homeowners continue to age in place rather than downsize to a ranch-style home, a full bath on the main floor is a high priority for buyers.
Other notable items on buyers’ wish lists
No surprise here–an open floor plan is still more highly favored than layouts that feature smaller rooms throughout the main living space. However, living spaces with more defined purposes are starting to rise in popularity again, as 47% of buyers are looking for this type of home, compared to 53% of buyers searching for an open-concept space.
