As the housing market continues to ebb and flow, we like keeping our finger on the pulse of buyer trends. What matters most? What home features truly add value? To explore deeper, we connected with Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon, renowned real estate brokers with Compass who boast nearly $3 billion in residential sales. They also appear on HGTV’s Selling New York and Page Six TV’s Billion Dollar Brokers. While considering the real estate landscape, the duo reveals new real estate trends and features that reflect changing lifestyles in a post-pandemic world.
Buyers Expect Flexible Spaces
"COVID-19 changed the way we view and utilize our spaces in an unprecedented way, and many of those changes persist today," explains Postilio. "With many people working at least partially remotely, and that includes kids, the demand for flexible spaces has increased dramatically."
Conlon adds, "Architects, builders, and designers are all tuned in to the needs of current homeowners. During the pandemic, fresh air practically became a commodity. In urban planning, that means more private and communal outdoor space within buildings, which now trades at a premium. Adaptable flex spaces are also high in demand, and we're finding creative and practical ways to meet that demand."
New construction can uniquely focus on building and designing spaces that suit this evolved audience. "In a ground-up new development project we'll be launching in the coming weeks, each residence includes a 'bonus space' that can be utilized as the resident sees fit," shares Postilio. "It can be as simple as extra storage, or as varied as an office space, art studio, recording studio, or even a wine cellar."
The duo notes that homeowners are also incorporating these flex spaces into their renovations. Gone are the Covid-era makeshift offices in bedrooms and broom closets. Architects are now keen to help homeowners maximize the utility of each and every space in the home.
2024 vs. 2025: The Buyer's Wish List
"At the very top of every buyer's wishlist in 2024 is lower mortgage rates," highlights Postilio. "Thankfully, with the Fed's commitment to lower the cost of borrowing, that wish is coming true."
Conlon focuses on the most in-demand features he saw this year. "The features that continue to rise to the top of the list are flexible space, as discussed, and smart home technology that maximizes convenience and minimizes utility bills."
In 2025, the real estate experts predict a strong demand for wellness amenities, a trend we're seeing both indoors and out. "Infrared saunas, cold plunge pools, air and water filtration systems, and even circadian lighting," notes Conlon. "Our attention spans have been frayed with the seemingly endless onslaught of news and information from our multitudes of devices. Potential buyers are looking to invest in desirable home features that turn down our mental volume levels. Wellness amenities can help to turn our homes into sanctuaries at the end of a long day."
Simple Ways You Can Make Your Home Appeal to Buyers
"For sellers who may not be in a position to take on a full-on renovation before coming to market, there are some simple tips that make a big difference," highlights Conlon.
- Declutter. "Take a look around your home, room by room. If your eye isn't first drawn to the best feature in the room, it's time to start decluttering. Removing dated or unsightly furniture can immediately make a home seem larger and more modern. It's hard to sell a buyer on a home's spaciousness when it's cluttered with distractions.
- Clean, clean, clean. "Clean windows (key!), a fresh coat of paint, and a deep clean of the kitchen and bathrooms can also help to make your home shine in the eyes of prospective home buyers."
- Improve lighting for reduced energy costs. "Don't forget to focus on energy-efficient lighting. LED lights have come a long way over the past few years, and it's an inexpensive way to showcase your energy efficiency. Be mindful of the color of the light, though. Bright white or bluish light can be hard on the eyes and rob your home of the very essence a high percentage of buyers are looking for. A dimmable warm white bulb can do wonders for any room."
