What Buyers Want in a Home: Top Must-Haves in 2025

In this age of social media, smartphones, and AI algorithms, there is no shortage of information on how you should remodel or upgrade your home to increase its value. But you only have so much time and money, and if you’re looking to sell your home in the future, you need to know what buyers want in a home.

The fact remains that there’s only one opinion that matters: The buyer’s.

What do buyers want in a home?

HomeLight partners with the top-performing real estate agents in the country. We regularly survey our network of 28,000 agents, asking them for expert insights that can help buyers and sellers make informed decisions.

The list below will help you gain a better idea of what buyers want in a home.

Affordability

The 2025 housing market is being shaped by a rise in new listings, home sales, and home prices. Though the National Association of Realtors (NAR) see signs of an improving market, mortgage rates may remain between 6%-7%.

A recent HomeLight survey of top real estate agents revealed the increasing emphasis that homebuyers are placing on affordability. For example, for first-time buyers:

• 27% report first-time buyers requesting mortgage rate buydown from sellers
• 23% are using gift funds from relatives for a down payment
• 16% are using programs such as down payment assistance
• 13% move longer distances in search of affordability
• 12% buy smaller homes

Game-changing kitchen updates

In HomeLight’s most recent End of Year 2024 Top Agent Insights survey, 88% of agents say updating your kitchen is the best way to appeal to today’s buyers.

As you can see by this overwhelming agreement among the nation’s most experienced agents, if your kitchen or appliances don’t appeal to a buyer, your chances of selling your home quickly or for top dollar can dramatically decrease.

Top Houston real estate agent Clarence Smith, who sells properties 49% faster than the average agent in his market, says one way to upgrade your kitchen is by installing granite or quartz countertops — if you don’t already have them. “It changes the whole complexion of the kitchen when we go with the granite countertops, and we have the under-mount sink.”

Janet Lorusso, a professional interior designer with over 30 years of experience, agrees. “Quartz is a nice alternative to get the marble look without the maintenance.”

Granite countertops vary between about $40 per square for lower-grade granite and $100 per square foot for higher-grade granite, plus installation costs. The national average to purchase and install granite countertops is $3,300, according to HomeAdvisor — a small price to pay compared to a full kitchen remodel, which stacks up to an average of $26,969.

Lorusso says another easy and inexpensive upgrade to the kitchen is painting the cabinets a different color. “Paint hides a multitude — from the ubiquitous dated honey oak that builders dumped in every home in the late 20th century, to fussy glazed finishes.” A fresh coat of paint can add an average of $10,184, according to HomeLight’s survey.

Improved curb appeal, outdoor and garden spaces

To attract more buyers and higher offers, 48% of agents recommend sellers make outdoor improvements, such as adding or fixing up your home’s back patio, porch, or deck.

Smith says covered back patios are particularly popular among buyers these days, “because a lot of people like to sit out there, drink coffee, get a little of the sunset, then if there’s a great backyard they like to watch the kids out there play, and they still have an area that’s covered to keep them out of the sun.”

Backyard decks and highly usable front porch areas have gained popularity in recent years, especially since the pandemic. On average, you can build a deck for around $3,600 to $7,200.

Dedicated remote work areas

In our End of Year 2024 survey, 38% of agents say a dedicated remote work area is the most appealing to buyers in their markets.

When a buyer goes shopping for a home, they are obviously looking at the total square footage of a house. If your home has an unfinished basement or attic, these spaces are typically not included in the promoted square footage of a house. However, if you stage them to show how they can be used as a home office, they can give your property a significant boost of buyer appeal.