I Asked 2 Real Estate Agents To Share Their Top Home Requirements — Here’s What They Said
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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One of the biggest decisions most people make is deciding whether to buy a home. Part of that decision entails figuring out which features are essential and which ones aren’t. From location and square footage to energy-efficient appliances and overall storage, everyone has their own idea of what they absolutely must have.
I reached out to two real estate agents about their top home requirements and why. Here’s what they shared.
Introducing the Real Estate Agents
- Mike Golab: A real estate agent in Ohio and an investor with Dash House Buyers
- Dean Bright: A real estate agent and investor in Georgia, and the co-owner of Bright Buys Houses
A Home Should Have a Multitude of Things
It’s hard to choose just one requirement for a home, which is why Golab has multiple.
“The most significant features, in my opinion, that any home should possess today are energy efficiency, ample storage and a practical layout,” he said.
Let’s start with energy efficiency.
“Energy efficiency is turning into one of the things buyers are looking for in order to save utility costs and minimize their environmental footprint,” said Golab. “Hence, this makes the feature of insulated windows, energy-efficient appliances and good HVAC highly sought-after. In fact, almost everyone reads and points out the energy-saving stickers on appliances and hot water tanks during showings.”
Next up is storage space. Golab said that any home should have ample space in the form of large closets, basements, attics — anything that adds to practical living and organization in the home.
It’s also important to have the right kind of layout. “A practical layout with the highly sought-after open-floor plans allows versatile use of space by modern families as well, which I’m all for!” Golab said.
In addition to these requirements, he also said he looks for homes that meet certain criteria in terms of location, future resale value and overall condition.
“Location would remain important because it impacts, aside from daily convenience, long-term property value as well,” he said. “A house should also be in a desirable neighborhood with [an] increasing population preferred by future buyers.”
That resale value is a requirement isn’t surprising. The average sales price of homes in the U.S. is over $500,000 as of Q2 2024., according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Home prices have also steadily — sometimes rapidly — increased over the decades.
But home values aren’t equal across the board. In some locations, the typical home listing price is well below the national average. Some cities have also seen a decline in housing prices. For those who might want to sell their property in the future, it makes far more sense to buy somewhere homes are steadily rising in value — or at least remaining fairly consistent.
Add a Functional Kitchen, Too
For Bright, having energy-efficient systems and plenty of storage space are also requirements in any home.
Energy efficiency means lower utility costs. According to SaveOnEnergy, the average monthly electric bill in the U.S. is $148 — that’s roughly $1,776 a year. The exact cost depends on things like location, household size and typical use. Having energy-efficient systems can cut down on overall costs in a given year.
Bright also agreed that having that extra storage space makes it easier to keep your home organized, which is why it’s a key requirement of his.
But beyond that, Bright emphasized the importance of having a well-designed kitchen as it adds long-term value to a home and improves daily living. Angie’s List (now known as Angi) found that the average return on invest (ROI) for a kitchen remodel is 72%, regardless of whether it’s a major or minor remodeling project.
“A functional kitchen is essential for both cooking and entertaining,” Bright said. “These features make day-to-day life easier and help protect your investment in the long run.”
For those looking to buy a home, Bright also suggested prioritizing all of these features since they can maximize the buyer’s comfort while making the home more attractive for future resale.
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