What Are The Top Home Features Buyers Will Pay More for in 2026?

Whether you’re a homeowner, a real estate flipper, or an investor, when it comes time to sell you want to get the maximum price for your property. So you’re willing to invest to beef up the property, but you need to know where to put your renovation dollars. 

Let’s look at the top features buyers will pay more for this year.

Energy-Efficient Features

Take it from real estate professionals: more than half of them say that energy efficiency is a top priority for buyers right now.

Updated windows are at the top of the list. Since older windows can allow air to flow in and increase heating and cooling costs, newer, more insulated windows will cut down on those expenses.

Other features buyers may pay more for include connected smart homes, energy-efficient appliances (if you’re leaving those), insulated walls, and solar panels.

Outdoor Spaces

Not only do front and back yards add curb appeal to a home, but they also can be designed in a way that saves the buyer money on water. And making these improvements can increase the sale price by 15 to 20%!

Water-friendly landscaping is great, not only for drought-ridden areas like the southwest of the U.S. As people become more conscious of water waste, more buyers seek out homes with xeriscaping.

Beyond making your property more water-friendly, consider also replacing any wood decking with composite materials that will withstand the elements longer than wood. And small updates can make a big difference. Consider:

• Pressure washing pavements
• Planting flowering plants 
• Updating mulch
• Weeding
• Updating the fence
• Adding smart outdoor lighting

Garage

It’s not a part of the house we think much about, other than to store those unused golf clubs, but a garage can factor into how much people are willing to pay for your house.

Start by updating the garage door if it’s an old one. Look for a smart garage door opener that works remotely and through an app. Even a coat of paint can instantly add curb appeal.

Install motion sensor lighting outside the door for security. And for extra points with the buyer, install a charging station for electric vehicles. 

Laundry Room

One of the most requested features by home buyers is a laundry room. If there’s space in your home to carve out a small room, hire a contractor to turn it into a space dedicated to laundry. You’ll need a room that has easy access to plumbing and electricity.

If you’re selling the house with appliances, invest in an Energy Star washer and dryer to appeal to the environmentally conscious buyer.

En Suite Bathroom

While an en suite bathroom is de facto in newer builds, older homes often have a separate primary bath. Yet, buyers love the convenience of having a bathroom right in the primary bedroom.

Speak with a contractor to see how you can modify your space to attach a bathroom to the bedroom. And in case you get sticker shock when you get the quote, realize that updating the bathroom to an en suite can increase what you can ask by 5-20%.

Small Updates

Not every update needs to cost a fortune. You can make small improvements that will improve the appearance of your home and allow you to increase the asking price.

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to improving a home, both inside and out. Stick to neutral colors over bold colors that may turn off some buyers. And don’t forget the front door! Studies show that a black front door can increase the home’s value by over $6,000!

Rather than investing in updating kitchen or bathroom cabinets, consider painting them and changing the hardware to modernize the look.

Swap outdated lighting fixtures with more modern designs and smart lighting features. Replace lightbulbs with more energy-efficient LEDs.

Replace old faucets and shower heads with more updated looks, like brushed nickel or matte black.

And don’t overlook lighting plates. It’s amazing how changing them to something more modern and elegant can completely transform the space.

Recaulk around tubs, sinks, and showers, and regrout bathroom tiles to refresh your bath.

If you’re not investing in new windows, replace the weatherstripping around all windows and doors to keep the drafts out.

Outside, update the house numbers and mailbox to make the home even more inviting. Trim the hedges, update the plants, and mow the grass before showing the home. These are little things that pack a powerful punch in how your home is presented.

How to Prioritize Renovations for Maximum ROI

With so many feature suggestions that buyers are willing to pay more for, where do you start? Start by doing your homework.

Look at other homes for sale in the neighborhood. See which features they have, and what the asking price is. This can give you an idea of what features you’ll need to compete.

Of course, your budget also factors into the decision! If you have a fixed amount to spend, calculate which projects you can afford to take on.

Timing Your Renovations and Sale

Renovations will take time, as you can imagine, so plan the timing carefully, considering when you plan to list your property. If your goal is to sell the house in six months, you’ll be limited to shorter projects you can complete in this time. Always build a buffer between when a contractor says the project should be completed and when you should actually expect that to be true!

Also consider market timing. The best time to sell a house tends to be in the spring, so that’s when you’re likely to get top dollar. Plan your updates around this timing to ensure that you’ll have a bidding war.

Staging Tips to Highlight Key Features

Once you’ve incorporated some of these sought-after features into your home, make sure you market it to highlight them. Invest in professional photos if you’re selling the house yourself (otherwise, a real estate agent will know how to best highlight these characteristics). Feature the elements you want to shine the spotlight on in the house listing and any marketing materials to generate buyer interest.

With a little strategy and investment, you can turn your home into a hot commodity by including some of these features that buyers clamor for!