5 ways to make buyers fall in love with your home
It’s no secret, men and women are wired differently. But recent research shows that when it comes to features that motivate them to buy, the connection between the sexes isn’t a battle.
America’s most lovable features
While there’s a small difference in what they love the most, our recent survey showed both men and women agree on which top features make them fall in love with a home.
When we asked first-time home buyers “which home amenity would make you, personally, fall in love with a home?,” here were the top answers:
| Amenities | All Respondents | Men | Women |
| Master Bathroom | 70% | 64% | 75% |
| Walk-in Closet | 63% | 55% | 72% |
| Gourmet Kitchen | 56% | 51% | 62% |
| Outdoor Deck | 55% | 51% | 58% |
| Wood Floors | 50% | 46% | 53% |
| Pre-wired for entertainment system (e.g., home theater, surround sound) | 35% | 42% | 28% |
| Pool | 27% | 27% | 26% |
| Hot Tub | 24% | 26% | 22% |
| Other | 15% | 15% | 15% |
The big feature conflict
While men and women agree that the master bath, walk-in closet and gourmet kitchen are top priorities when it comes to finding their dream home, not all features are created equal. Among the top features, women and men each showed they had a little more love for a few key features at the top of the list:
What women love (more than men):
- Master Baths
- Walk in Closets
- Gourmet Kitchens
Favorites men love (more than women):
- Pre-Wiring for Entertainment System
- Pool
- Hot tub
What the data means for agents
For buyer’s agents, be sure to send and highlight these key motivating features when selecting and showing homes to first-time buyers. For agents with listings, make sure you highlight these features in your listing description.
Lastly, what’s missing from the list? Comment and tell us which features are making homes in your area loveable for house hunters.
Jovan Hackley
Jovan Hackley is part of Trulia's Industry Education team helping agents and brokers build their businesses.
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Legacy Comments
Interesting article, I was surprised that pool and hot tub made it in. What geographic area of the country did you survey? I can see that for very hot climates where it stays warm longer than here in New England! My guess is that these same buyers might not make the same choice for their second house, after having to deal with the maintenance / expense/ etc the first time around! Anyway thanks for sharing!
A hot tub is an easy add to most homes. I am surprised that buyers would place such a priority on a home purchase.
Hi Lori, the sample was national. Glad you enjoyed the article.
5 Ways To Make Buyers Fall In Love With Your Home.
I live and sell real estate in Tehachapi CA. Many homes are on large lots or acreage. Providing shelter for tractors, mowers, garden equipment and “toys” is important to buyers, ESPECIALLY MEN. An oversized two-car or 3 car garage is a big feature when it gets down to the purchase.
What – no mention of a garage? Guys go gaga over a great garage!
I’m a hands-on guy, and I like a garage, and in hot sunny south Florida, an air conditioned garage is a must if you want to get any projects completed during the day, and if it comes with cabinets and a nice work bench, even better. I don’t like clutter and my tools must be easy to find. I know this is not priority number one for most women, but if we’re going to bring up the subject, I know some guys out there are with me on this. My garage is my man cave and that’s one feature I can’t live without.
Your statistics confirm what I already knew, that women, more then men go for the gourmet kitchen, walk-in closets, and master bedroom suite. Thanks for making it so concise, and in statistical form, it’s good information to pass along to sellers who need advice about prepping their homes for market.
No problem Bonnie. Hopefully the stats can help when you’re sharing your expertise with buyers and sellers.
I am curious about fireplaces and garages? I would think that a garage would be huge for men and women alike!
Where are these respondents living? In my marketplace, only 4.4% of active listings have a master bath!
Where are the “5 Ways”??
Sorry L, this one definitely could’ve used a better title to fit the research points.
Great information for buyers and sellers alike! The one trend that I’m seeing in our area is not the hot tubs but, the outdoor hardscaping–fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, etc. Hardwoods and granite/stainless/gourmet kitchens are also very important to our buyers these days.
Great post, but in our area we would add an open floor plan, and a Family Room off the Kitchen. Today’s lifestyle is more informal, and houses with compartmentalized layouts tend to be a little less popular.
Jovan,
I’m find a lot more demand these days for garage parking for 3 or more cars, a shop and the BIG TICKET item is space for the family dog/s. While today’s busy families aren’t anxious for a rambling lawn, they are looking for more of a yard for Rover. Media rooms are in demand here in Dallas now too.
Great survey! I’m surprised that garage and basement space were not part of the survey. Here in Colorado, most men, and some woman really look at garage space for all of the recreational items they need to store ie: bikes, often 2-3 different ones per person, small boats/canoes, hiking and camping items. When biking isn’t their passtime, they look for basement storage areas for those larger outdoor items.
love to get all your tips on how to get buyers. All help is appreciated.
Would like to change at some point over to another zip code, when one becomes
available. Ones we are looking for would be 14534, 14618, 14450, 14526, 14580
Let us know if that is possible.
Basil and Sharon Sanguedolce
Keller Williams – Brighton Office
What’s missing from your love list…a “MAN CAVE” or finished basement or attic. It would be interesting to see how that works out in the survey.
Jovan,
Did the warong article get posted with this title? I don’t see “5 ways to make buyers fall in love with your home.”
Maybe this should be titled “What are home buyers looking for?”
Hey Page, Sorry about that. This one definitely could’ve used a clearer title. Marketing the top-of-the-pile features from the research is what I was trying to drive home.
What about garages? Most of my buyers want garages! Women want them so that their cars stay clean and don’t have to brush the snow off their cars and men want them, well…just because they are men!
Most buyers prefer wood floors to carpeting, open high ceilings and lots of light.
Missing is a 1st floor powder room..( 1/2 bth)…EVERYONE asks for that
In the Dayton area we have tons of homes with a one car garage, or homes that USED to have that one car but its been turned into a family room. So highlighting garage space here does well. You have to know your target — is it first timers that would love a big yard for kids, dogs, toys? Or is it the older downsizers that are done with yard work and either want a condo or smaller yard so they can have more time to enjoy life. But I agree, master baths are MUCH appreciated, walk-in closets and any types of storage are good.
Great article.
In my area, one of the most important features would be that the kitchen opens up to the family room, which has a fireplace. Also important would be a mudroom off of the garage.
Where was the survery taken N.Y. City! What? no Garage and/or basement, yard size etc.
Mary, it was a national survey but from these comments it seems like Garages should be a top request as well.
I do not see a response on where the survey was taken, what were the options. Seems to missing some items that I would have seen in our area like garage.
Are you sending responses direct to those requesting?
Great info!
Thanks so much!