So what do prospective buyers want when shopping for a house this year? We contacted Zillow, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and several expert realtors to find out which features homebuyers are demanding in 2021 and explain why these are must-have home features right now. According to Bill Golden, a realtor/associate broker at RE/MAX Around Atlanta, Ga., this feature is popular with his baby boomer buyers. “They’re looking at features with an eye to the future when they’re buying,” he says. Curbless showers reduce the risk of falls and injuries for seniors, plus they’re more accessible to those in a wheelchair, especially when paired with a wide shower door. “Also, nice, big showers have way surpassed tubs as must-have items in a primary bath, and I expect we’ll see more and more showers go curbless as homeowners rip out tubs and use the space for larger, nicer showers.” The popularity of a pizza oven doesn’t surprise broker Gerard Splendore at Warburg Realty in New York City. “Pizza ovens are in demand as home delivery of take-out food can introduce outside ‘forces’ via a delivery service or person, the exchange of credit cards or cash can transfer germs,” he explains. “And since dining out wasn’t permitted in most places, delivery times for take-out pizza increased.” This perfect storm of factors has caused homes with a pizza oven to sell for 3.4 percent more. “God help us, this trend does not seem to be going away—it’s everywhere in new construction, and even remodeling projects are transforming other styles into the modern farmhouse style,” Golden laments. While he admits it’s a hot trend, Golden believes it’s going to date houses in a few years. RELATED: Here Are 5 Inspiring Farmhouse Design Plans But real estate agent Karen Kostiw at Warburg Realty in New York City is wondering what took the rest of us so long to get onboard. “Heated floors, commonly known as radiant heating, are not a new concept, but are gaining more popularity with today’s home buyers,” she says. “Not only does it provide clean and allergen-free heat, it is energy-efficient and provides an extremely comfortable heating source versus vented heating.” In addition, Kostiw notes that radiant heating can be left at a constant temperature all winter. “So, it provides a consistent heat and actually will result in a lower heating bill.” “Laundry rooms are essential/desirable because they allow homebuyers to keep all the messiness associated with doing laundry—like piles of clothes on the floor, piles of clean clothes in baskets—behind a closed door and out of sight,” explains Rose Quint, AVP of Survey Research at the NAHB. Some people, especially those who rent or have a small space, may be doing laundry in their kitchen or another shared room, and now that they’re home all day, Quint says they’re tired of looking at these piles of laundry. Pendleton agrees, adding that outdoor space became a luxury during the pandemic, so it’s no surprise that it would help a house sell for more than expected. “And more than anything, buyers appear to be looking for more functional outdoor space, so they’re valuing features that allow them to better enjoy the outdoor space they have, and that includes outdoor lighting.” And that comes as no surprise to broker Svetlana Choi of Warburg Realty in New York City. “Ceiling fans are now and have always been an excellent feature, most especially in the heat of the summer,” she says. “Using fans is a wonderful way to enhance air conditioning, making it possible to use air conditioners efficiently and at a reduced cost, but still keep the air cool and reduce the humidity in many corners of a home.”
