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Today’s real estate market is a tricky one to navigate—buyers are contending with limited inventory, high interest rates, and record-high property values. As a seller, there are few things more valuable than knowing what makes or breaks a property’s success on the market. That’s why we reach out to professionals in home construction and design each year to find out which home features are “must-haves” and what buyers are willing to give up.
Fundamentals like location, size, and price carry weight, just as they always will, but we’ve found that it’s often the smaller details that can cut through the noise and make a home more enticing. Especially in today’s market, buyers rarely get everything they want, but knowing what they are and aren’t willing to compromise on could mean the difference between a quick sale and a home that sits on the market for months.
We surveyed 52 experts to find out what features and specs buyers are prioritizing. Focusing your energy on these as a seller can fetch a higher sale price, make the selling process smoother, and help the money you put into last-minute renovations and updates go further.
Main Findings:
Ample storage solutions are the most important home feature for home buyers in 2025, according to 94% of respondents.
On the exterior, patios top the list of buyer priorities, say 92% of professionals. In the interior, it’s high-quality finishes, according to 92%.
According to 92% and 90% of experts, respectively, home offices and laundry rooms are the most desired interior spaces after the essentials like bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Size matters, but 41% of experts say that buyers are open to downsizing if it means staying within their budgets.
Even on a tight budget, buyers are least likely to compromise on location, the condition of the home, and the number of bedrooms or bathrooms.
What Matters Most to Home Buyers in 2025?
A pretty picture can be deceiving, but a thoughtfully designed home with client lifestyle needs integrated, regardless of what features are or are not included, tends to be a huge factor that influence client happiness. A home with good spatial flow with beautiful design focal points, fluid indoor outdoor connection, and well thought out storage are significant design factors that drive long-term homeowner satisfaction.
What are buyers prioritizing most in 2025? New floors? Granite countertops? High-end appliances? Not quite. Based on the expert insights we collected, home buyers prioritize features that enhance functionality, leading to more comfortable and efficient daily living and entertaining spaces.
Top 10 Home Buyers’ Priority Features in 2025
As a seller, what should you focus the renovation and remodel budget on before listing? Well-designed storage solutions, high-quality outdoor spaces, home offices, laundry rooms, kitchen islands, and landscaping top the list as some of the most important buyer desires.
1. Ample Storage Solutions
Image credit: Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel
Nearly every professional we surveyed, 94% of them, to be precise, agreed that thoughtfully designed storage spaces are important to buyers in 2025. Linen closets, pantries, and space for clothes are all relevant, but storage is most important in the rooms we frequent most. In the kitchen, for example, 57% of interior design pros say that ample storage tops the list of kitchen design trends in 2025.
2. High-Quality Finishes
Across industries, buyers are looking for longevity and visual appeal from their purchases, and 92% of experts agree that high-quality finishes, when it comes to flooring, cabinetry, and countertops, can really make a home stand out in that regard. Premium materials suggest value and promise less maintenance in the long run, and savvy buyers may be more likely to offer a higher price if they know they’re getting a home with quality finishes.
“A lot of homebuyers are heavily influenced by finishes and fixtures,” said Toni Lewis, Principal at Lewis Schoeplein Architects. Luckily, “these are the easiest things to fix.”
3. Patio
An impressive 92% of experts agree that patios are or important for buyers, making them almost as valuable as those interior storage areas. This is good news for sellers who may be lacking in interior square footage but have some space to install a patio, which is one of the outdoor living trends buyers can’t do without.
4. Home Office
Functionality and space to unwind may top the list of home buyers’ priorities in 2025, but “all play and no work” isn’t the mantra buyers are entering the market with. Remote and hybrid work are still common, and 92% of experts agree that a dedicated workspace is also considered essential. Buyers are looking for quiet, private, and functional spaces that allow for productivity and focus without sacrificing style.
5. Laundry Room
Image credit: Harvard Homes
That trend continues with the fifth most important thing buyers are looking for in a home: a laundry room. A dedicated space for doing and folding laundry helps keep living areas free from clutter, so it offers a one-two punch for productivity and functionality that 90% of experts are calling essential.
6. Kitchen Island
Image credit: Hsu McCullough | Photo by Dan Arnoldunnamed
Kitchen islands have been a staple in interior design for decades, and it’s no surprise that, in a market where buyers are prioritizing both aesthetic appeal and functionality, they’re still garnering a lot of attention from those looking to buy a home. According to 88% of design experts, kitchen islands are a top selling point for a home. A multifunctional island with storage, outlets, and seating is the most appealing, and 42% of experts agreed that this combination made islands a top kitchen design trend in 2025.
7. Insulation
Rising energy costs and general concern over global warming and carbon footprints are leading buyers to care more about a home’s efficiency. It should come as no surprise, then, that 86% of experts contend that insulation is important for buyers in 2025. Other energy-efficient features help, but with 43% of a home’s utility costs going toward heating and cooling, insulation takes precedence over energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC equipment.
8. Landscaping
Focusing on a home’s exterior has always been a key strategy for sellers looking to make a good first impression on buyers, and 86% of experts say landscaping is still important for buyers. A professionally maintained front yard will make listing photos pop and will give buyers a positive impression before they even set foot inside.
In 2025, 98% of experts agree that updated outdoor space can have just as positive of an impact on home value. Home buyers are looking for functional outdoor spaces that effectively expand the living space inside.
"Many buyers are seeking homes that open to the landscape for ‘2nd’ or ‘3rd’ outdoor living rooms," said Tyler Kobick, Principal & CEO at Design Draw Build.
9. Garage Storage
Ample storage space tops the list of home buyer priorities once again, with 82% of pros agreeing that garage storage is important to buyers. Built-in shelving, cabinetry, wall storage, and creative solutions for holiday decorations, seasonal items, tools, and sports gear are among the things buyers look for most. Add in flexibility with modular storage or foldable shelves, and you’ve got a solution that is sure to win buyers over.
10. Multi-Zone HVAC System
Buyers are placing more value on energy-efficient and customizable home features, and a multi-zone HVAC system checks both boxes. According to 76% of experts, this upgrade is important for today’s home buyers. The ability to control temperatures in different areas of the home means improved comfort and reduced energy costs.
Factors Most Home Buyers Are Willing to Compromise On When On a Tight Budget
With the cost of living still extremely high (inflation, lending rates, insurance) buyers are having to heavily compromise. Some critical resilient or forward looking features will be passed over just to get into the right location and other non-negotiables.
Knowing the top 10 things buyers are looking for in a home in 2025 can help guide your pre-list renovations, but to get the complete picture, we also wanted to know where buyers are most willing to compromise. When budgets are tight, as they so often are these days, what features are buyers the most flexible on?
What Home Buyers Are Willing to Sacrifice When Budgets Are Tight
As a seller, where can you afford to forgo some last-minute renovations and updates without tanking your home’s appeal to the current market? Experts say that interior square footage, certain exterior features, and home age are where buyers are compromising the most.
Interior square footage
Since the 1960s, homeowners have been prioritizing interior square footage, and homes have been getting larger as a result. The median home size 60 years ago was 1,500 square feet; today, the median is between 2,100 and 2,200 square feet, representing a 43% increase, on average. But experts are seeing a new trend emerging in 2025: bigger isn’t always better. Buyers are willing to downsize a bit if it means staying within their budget, according to 41% of experts.
“Many families are realizing they can live in smaller homes, especially well-designed, efficient spaces,” said Whitney Hill, CEO at SnapADU.
The key phrase there is “well-designed.” Buyers are willing to purchase smaller homes if they still get what they need from the space, which means the home still needs to be functional and accommodating.
“Due to rising construction costs, we have seen many clients willing to compromise on the overall size of the home in favor of its functionality and quality of finishes,” said James Babin, architect at Babin Architecture. “[Plus], as larger homes become more expensive to maintain, a smaller home may become more desirable to homeowners.”
Danny Niemela, co-owner, vice president, and CFO of ArDan Construction, takes that idea one step further. “Homebuyers even prefer smaller homes nowadays. A 1,600-square-foot home with a double pantry, walk-in laundry, and a tech niche beats a 2,100-square-foot house with dead zones and awkward angles. The ratio matters. If 40 percent of your square footage is in halls or oversized rooms, it feels like a waste. Buyers today want 90 percent of the home to feel active and usable. They are also filtering purchases through energy and maintenance math.”
The bottom line? Buyers don’t mind compromising on square footage if they get the same value from the home. In fact, they may even prefer smaller homes due to lower maintenance costs.
“A house with a $400 monthly utility bill and a $1,200 annual HVAC maintenance cycle gets factored in like a hidden mortgage,” added Niemela. “People are calculating total cost of living upfront.”
The condition of the property matters, too. “Buyers would rather have a smaller home that is move-in-ready than a larger home that [suffers from] a lot of deferred maintenance,” said Andrew Schaub, director of architecture at Alto Design.
Exterior features and lot size
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Image credit: Harvard Homes
While outdoor features like patios are some of the most desirable features for modern buyers, 35% of experts say that those shopping for a home are still willing to compromise on them if it means securing other high-priority specs.
Lot size, siding, and roofing are also areas in which buyers are willing to cut corners, according to 28%, 28%, and 14% of experts, respectively. This is great news for sellers with smaller plots but thoughtfully designed and well-laid-out interiors.
And don’t misread those stats on siding and roofing. Both exterior upgrades still deliver a comparatively high ROI, but buyers are more willing to make those upgrades themselves than to compromise on interior details like finishes (12%) and storage space (10%). When it comes to post-sale renovations, buyers are more willing to invest in high-ROI upgrades for the value they bring, meaning they’re more likely to compromise on them when searching for a home.
“Homebuyers in our market are looking for something that will produce a good ROI,” said Ileana Fay, president and co-founder of Florida Palm Construction, Inc. “They are willing to make installations where required, so the purchase of the home doesn't need to check every box up front.”
Home age and style
Finally, the age of a house and the overall style are aspects that take a back seat to affordability for buyers, according to 31% and 29% of experts, respectively.
“In today's housing market, we have seen homebuyers are willing to purchase outdated homes if it means living in a good neighborhood,” said Zakhar Keselman, CEO at Keselman Construction Group. “Many new home buyers come to us asking for remodels to homes they purchased in the Cleveland area. Some of these homes are from the 1800s and have not had major renovations in over 50 years.”
As we mentioned earlier, insulation is one of the top priorities for buyers in the current market. However, energy efficiency is also an area where 29% of experts agree that buyers are willing to compromise in favor of specs such as storage, functionality, and location.
What Home Buyers Are Less Willing to Compromise On, Even With a Tight Budget
Buyers rarely check all of their “dream home” boxes when buying a house, but there are some things that most people just won’t be able to overlook.
Just 2% of experts say that buyers are willing to purchase a fixer-upper, unless there’s a steep price cut compared to move-in-ready homes. Home age and style may be something buyers can overlook, but a failing foundation, structural issues, water damage, and other major problems continue to be sticking points.
Similarly, buyers seem to be able to get over home size, but when it comes to the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, only 2% of experts say that buyers are willing to compromise. Space for growing families, guests, or a home office conversion still remains a high priority, even if overall square footage is becoming less crucial.
Buyers also know that they can change just about anything about the home. The layout, the square footage, and certainly the condition are all subject to change. One thing that remains constant, however, is location, so only 4% of experts agree that buyers are willing to compromise in that area. People want to be close to work and school, and they want quality neighborhoods in which to raise their families.
“Location seems to be the most common factor that influences a buyer,” said Amit Upadhye, principal at AU Design Studio. “Location is one thing that cannot be changed.”
It’s not all about proximity to desirable areas or points of interest, either. “Homebuyers are looking for homes that are not in flood or fire risk zones due to climate change,” says Margo Nathanson, design principal at Margo Nathanson Interiors.
When it comes to interior condition, the thing that buyers are least likely to get over is flooring. Just 6% of experts say that buyers will overlook outdated or damaged flooring, especially in otherwise move-in-ready homes.
Methodology
For this report, Fixr.com sent a survey to 52 top experts in the home construction industry, including architects, home builders, home remodelers, and landscaping specialists from across the U.S.. Each of the professionals who responded has a wealth of experience and currently works in the industry in the U.S. The contributors to this report were selected due to their extensive expertise, as well as their success in the industry and reputable designs. Their responses are based on their first-hand experience with homeowners, therefore representing a clear picture of current trends in 2025.
To compile the trends and associated percentages, we asked them multiple-choice questions. All percentages were rounded. In most cases, they were able to select more than one option. Most of the experts who participated in the survey are listed below. Some wished to remain anonymous.
Expert Contributors
Albert C. Nichols | Amit Upadhye |
Amy A. Alper | Andrew Magnes |
Andrew Schaub | Andrew Franz |
Ashley Wainscott | Bar Zakheim |
Ben Esensten | Beth Silva |
Brandon Bryant | Brent Kendle, AIA, LEED AP |
Charles Hendricks | Cherie Goff |
Chris Hock | Danny Niemela |
Dawn Christine | Elizabeth Herrmann |
Frank Wickstead | Gregg Cantor |
Ileana Fay | James Babin, R.A. |
Jeffrey Bogard | Jeremiah Russell, AIA, NCARB, RIBA |
Jesse Hager | Josh Borris |
Larry Kush | Lauren Adams |
Lee Calisti | Lenka Ilic |
Marc Michaelson | Margo Nathanson |
Mark English | Michael Padavic |
Nathan Dalesio | Peggy Hsu |
Robert Lord GMB/CGP | Ryan Hinricher |
Sabine H. Schoenberg | Steve Kesselman |
Thomas Wall | Todd Usher |
Toni Lewis | Tryggvi Thorsteinsson & Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir |
Tyler Kobick | Warren O’Shea |
Whitney Hill | Yaniv Brikman |
Zakhar Keselman |
Irena is an industry analyst and financial content specialist at Fixr.com, where she transforms complex data into clear insights to help homeowners make smarter financial decisions. With a background in personal finance research and writing since 2018, she brings years of experience in helping readers understand how to maximize their home investments. Her work has been featured on reputable websites, including Washington Examiner, Yahoo Finance, Fox40, and Forbes.