Not all home features are created equal: There are some that will majorly stand out to prospective buyers and others that may seem promising yet will ultimately fall by the wayside. Today’s buyers, real estate agents tell us, are especially focused on properties that offer plenty of natural light, outdoor gathering spaces, and lots of character and charm, among other features.

Read on to learn more about the six features—some of which are a bit unexpected—that three agents notice buyers focusing in on time and time again.

Natural Light

Natural light is priceless, quite literally, and it majorly stands out to home buyers, agents say. “It’s amazing how often buyers walk into a home and instinctively exhale when sunlight pours through large windows,” says Lauren Auresto, a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gaetano Marra Homes. Cy Karrat, a real estate agent with Dallien Realty, agrees, and says that when his buyers are transitioning out of dark apartments, the presence of abundant natural light in particular becomes a top priority in their home search.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Sometimes, it’s not only about what’s inside a home—a property’s outdoor features play a significant role in wooing buyers, too. The pandemic really revived backyard living, Auresto says, and ample outdoor space is key for many. “Buyers light up at the sight of a thoughtfully designed outdoor space,” she says. To really make an outdoor area great, she adds, ensure it’s equipped with privacy, good lighting, and WiFi.

Shallow Pools

While pools are more popular in certain areas of the country over others, they can still definitely be a selling point. But these days not just any type of pool will do, says Allison Freeman, a real estate agent with The Premier Property Group. Prospective buyers are partial to shallow pools made for sports and lounging as opposed to more traditional deeper pools.

Character and Charm

You may think that buyers want every inch of a home to be perfect, but in reality, what people often really crave is a bit of character, Auresto says. “They’re tired of cookie-cutter new builds and love details that add soul,” she says, highlighting features like built-in bookshelves, window seats, and statement lighting as instant winners among prospective buyers.

Freeman feels similarly, adding that charm is also a major part of the equation. “We live on social media,” she says, so “whether it’s decor, natural light, or a charming exterior, ‘cute’ sells.”

Keep in mind that there’s a big difference between character and personalization, though. Auresto says that sellers need to remember to steer clear of too much of the latter to ensure that any buyer will be able to envision creating their own life in your home.

Noise Level

Peace and quiet is at the top of many people’s lists. When a buyer is touring a condo building or townhouse in particular, noise levels may be one of their top concerns, Karrat says. “Many want to know how well the building is insulated, and whether they’ll hear footsteps upstairs or noise from neighboring units,” he says.

Functional Mudrooms

Today’s buyers are all about the practical, and when they see a well-designed mudroom, they’re likely to fall head over heels for it, says Auresto. “Once an afterthought, these functional spaces have become a quiet luxury,” she says. Bonus points for mudrooms equipped with hooks, drawers, charging stations, and even laundry bins, she says. “It’s not glamorous, but it’s the kind of feature that makes a house functional.”

Real Estate Agents Agree : These are The Top Home Features Buyers Always Look For by Sarah Lyon | The Spruce