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 2026 housing market is being shaped by a rise in new listings, home sales, and home prices. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) also forecasts mortgage rates to drop to 6%.
A recent HomeLight survey of top real estate agents revealed the increasing emphasis that homebuyers are placing on affordability. For example:
- 58% report buyers want closing cost credit from sellers
- 20% recommend that sellers reduce the price based on home inspection findings
- 7% say buyers are looking for seller-paid interest rate buydowns
- 6% say buyers want post-closing repair credits
- A 5.75% mortgage rate is the tipping point to get would-be buyers off the fence
- 23% recommend bridge loans to help sellers buy before they sell
Game-changing kitchen updates
In HomeLight’s most recent Top Agent Insights survey, 17% of agents say minor kitchen updates give the highest return on investment in terms of helping a home sell at a higher price.
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 50% 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 foot 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 $3,250, according to HomeAdvisor — a small price to pay compared to a full kitchen remodel, which stacks up to an average of $26,968.
Improved curb appeal
To attract more buyers and higher offers, 7% of agents recommend that sellers improve landscaping and curb appeal.
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.
Move-in-ready homes
An overwhelming 76% of agents say the biggest selling point for buyers in today’s market is a home in move-in-ready condition.
Updates that make the home look like a model home can earn you top dollar, shares Delaine Campbell, a top agent in Alexandria, Virginia, with 20 years of experience. “If a seller is not willing to do that, then they can expect lower showings, possibly no offers, and possibly lowering the price. Buyers want move-in ready homes.”
Small but critical repairs return $6,208 at resale, according to HomeLight’s research.
Freshly painted surfaces
In HomeLight’s recent survey, 30% of agents say painting has the highest return on investment when it comes to helping a house sell for a higher price.
Lorusso says painting is an easy and inexpensive upgrade, particularly to the kitchen cabinets. “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 return an average of $12,130, according to HomeLight’s survey.
When it comes to painting the house, focus on areas that need a touch-up. According to top agents, repainting the entire home, even if the paint is still in relatively good condition, does not give the same return on investment.
Updated flooring
A home would be less attractive to buyers in the current market if the buyer still has to put in the work to update the flooring. Putting in new flooring costs around $1,530 to $4,851, and research suggests it can earn you $11,731 more at resale. However, think twice if you are planning to replace flooring with brand-new carpet throughout, as this might not give you the same return on investment.
Upgraded primary bath
Modernizing the bathroom or kitchen is the top upgrade that sellers can focus on to make their homes more appealing to the market. When it comes to renovating the primary bath, in particular, minor to midrange updates have the highest ROI.
The 2025 Cost vs Value report shares that a midrange bathroom remodel has an 80% ROI while an upscale remodel has a 42% ROI. Go for features that show a visual improvement to the primary bath without necessarily spending all your renovation budget on this area of the home.
Laurel Davies, a top-selling agent in Sacramento, California, says newer systems help sell a home. This includes a new water heater, fresh paint, and flooring. She also emphasizes the importance of cleanliness.
When is the best time to remodel?
Conventional wisdom leads many to believe that spring is the best season to sell a house. But that is not always the case. To make sure you are striking when the market is most active, take advantage of HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator. Our tool closely inspects local real estate transaction data, analyzes trends from years past, and crunches the data to show you the ideal time to put your house on the market in your area.
If you’re selling during the winter — when sales are typically slower — make sure to present the house as well-lit, safe, and as inviting as possible. There are a few upgrades you can make to ensure this: well-placed lighting (don’t forget to replace your lightbulbs!) at the front of the house, new home numbers and mailboxes, and a fresh coat of paint on your front door.
And if your plan is to sell in spring, focus on exterior projects, especially on curb appeal — landscaping that highlights all the flora in bloom will make a big impact.
To make sure you’re undertaking upgrades that will make you money when you sell your home, work with a top local agent in your area and let their expertise be your guide.Work With a Top Agent To Devise the Best Selling Strategy
A few final helpful tips to sell your home
In our Top Agent Insights for Q3 2025, agents recommend pricing the home strategically to help close the deal. Here are some tips to guide you:
- 50% of agents say pricing slightly below market value can attract multiple offers
- 25% suggest pricing at current market value
- 20% recommend being ready to adjust the price as needed based on market response
Find a top-selling agent in your area
When it comes to what buyers want in a home, Smith says he works hard to create realistic expectations based on buyers’ wants, needs, and budget, “so that when we’re out there, it’s not a fairy tale.” This is a quality of a top real estate agent, and it will not only benefit the buyer but also the seller of the home they choose. Before deciding which upgrades and renovations are worth your time and money, be sure to consult with a top real estate agent in your area.
You need a real estate agent who has years of experience working in your area, has the best local services on speed dial, and knows what new buyers want in your neighborhood. HomeLight’s data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent. To find you the best agent based on your unique needs, we analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews.
Writer Jessica Cody contributed to this story.
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