ADUs, EV charging, outdoor spaces, and smart home integration are a few features homebuyers will demand in 2026.
What trendy home features will buyers be looking for in 2026? We reached out to real estate experts for their predictions on the top homebuyer must-haves for the coming year.
The New Non-Negotiables
Homebuyer priorities have shifted post-pandemic and will continue to evolve going into 2026. Some features that used to be "nice-to-haves" migrated to the "must-have" column, directly impacting home values and time-on-market.
“Houses with functional spaces sell faster and keep better values,” says Ryan McCallister, the president and founder of Michigan-based F5 Mortgage. “Buyers in 2026 will expect to find offices, flexible living space, and usable outdoor living areas, etc.” On the other hand, he adds, properties lacking these and other trendy features could end up lagging on the market longer or receive lower offers.
Here’s a deeper dive into some of the more compelling home features buyers will be asking about going forward.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): The Income-Generating Game-Changer
“I think having an ADU or the option to add one will be a major selling point in 2026,” says Erin Hybart, Louisiana-based Realtor and founder of the ReErin.com blog. It’s all about flexibility, whether it’s to generate potential rental income or accommodating extended family. “With high home prices, buyers see that extra unit as a way to offset their mortgage or even afford a home in a market they’d otherwise be priced out of,” explains Hybart.
On the rental income side, many cities and states (even New York City) have eased up ADU zoning laws to give homeowners the opportunities to rent out backyard cottages, attics, basements, and other home attachments.
Whether it’s to split costs between siblings, accommodate grandparents who are staying with you to help with childcare, or to move in your aging parents who are in need of care, today’s homebuyers are forward-thinking and family-focused.
EV Charging Infrastructure: Future-Proofing Your Garage
In 2024, 1.6 million electric car sales were sold in the U.S., accounting for more than 10% of total car sales. As adoption continues, homebuyers may be on the lookout for homes that already have EV chargers or 240v outlets installed. “EV charging infrastructure is becoming a given requirement,” says Matt Brown, a Florida real estate agent and broker associate at William Raveis – and it could even help sway buyers toward one home over another.
Brown says to expect more scenarios like this: One home is slightly more updated internally but would require a substantial electrical panel upgrade and the installation of a 240v outlet (for Level 2 charging capability). Another home has a slightly less modern kitchen, but already has a Level 2 EV charger installed and ready to use in the garage. The choice is easy for a buyer with an electric vehicle, or who intends to get one.
Of course, it’s not necessarily a gamechanger to have to install EV charging yourself since it costs about $2,000, but saving someone the hassle could help influence a sale.
Smart Home Integration: Beyond Just a Doorbell Camera
Many homes have a few smart devices, but that’s not quite the same as a truly integrated smart home system. When everything is integrated, all of the different tech works together and you can control it from one dashboard. It might include features like smart thermostats, whole-home automation, security systems, smart locks, and voice-controlled lighting. If it also offers the buyer flexibility in not being tied to one ecosystem or platform, that it ideal.
Such smart home integration is becoming an attractive selling point, says Brown. “These features not only simplify daily living but also offer tangible, long-term value, making a property more modern and desirable,” he says. For example, smart thermostats can help optimize energy use and bring down your cost, while smart security features might get you a break on your home insurance.
Dedicated Work-From-Home Spaces: The Home Office Evolution
Remote and hybrid work has permanently changed space needs. According to Gallup, as of August 2025, 52% of workers had hybrid schedules and 26% were exclusively remote. Homebuyers no longer want to work at a corner desk in their living room or in a small section of a basement.
“Hybrid and remote workers now want a functional home office,” says Brown. This includes features like good lighting and soundproofing, a closing door for privacy, and fast internet connection wiring and signal amplifiers that are pre-installed, he adds.
Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Lower Bills, Higher Value
With energy prices up and more people wanting to lower their carbon footprint, homebuyers are putting more value in homes that have energy efficient features. Studies even show that ENERGY STAR certified homes are valued 2% to 8% higher in most markets. Plus, in the 2025 REALTORS® Residential Sustainability Report, 72% of real estate pros said a home’s utility bills and operating costs are a top priority for their clients.
Some examples of highly coveted energy upgrades include solar panels, high-efficiency HVAC systems, upgraded insulation, energy-efficient windows, and heat pumps. Crunching the potential cost savings can make these upgrades a significant factor for buyers, especially younger ones who might be more concerned about responsible energy use.
Outdoor Living Spaces: The Extended Home
Functional outdoor areas have remained popular in a post-pandemic market. This can include features like covered patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and landscaped yards. In warmer climates, pools or screened-in porches might attract buyers. Some even think of outdoor spaces as an extension of their livable square footage.
“Outdoor space has shifted from luxury to must have,” says McCallister. “Even the smallest patio or private yards get attention and can reduce time on market by about 10 days.”
Multigenerational Living Features: Flexibility for Changing Families
The strategy of buying a “starter home” that you can move on from in a few years is shifting toward finding a home that can grow with you – and accommodate your multigenerational family. In fact, multigenerational buying reached an all-time high as of NAR’s May 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report – with 17% of homes purchased within the last year having multigenerational households.
“The sandwich generation homeowners are on an active lookout for homes with features like ADUs, dual primary suites, or separate entrances to have that balance of togetherness and, at the same time, privacy,” explains Johana Williams, regional manager with Utopia Management, based in California. For example, in situations where relatives are aging at home and being cared for by family, a multigenerational family home is a practical and affordable solution. The same is true if grandparents are helping with child care and can live on-site.
Tech-Ready Infrastructure: The Invisible Must-Have
With lives and homes being more digitally connected than ever, having top-notch electrical and technology infrastructure is a key attribute for homebuyers. This can include critical features like robust Wi-Fi capability throughout the home, sufficient electrical capacity for modern loads, USB outlets, Cat6 ethernet wiring, and adequate circuit breakers.
Older homes without modern electrical infrastructure will ultimately face costly updates, so it’s something homebuyers may think and ask about as they tour homes.
Prioritizing Features for Your Budget
Figuring out how to balance which features are top priority for you and your budget can help you target the most functional homes in your price range. Think about your lifestyle, location, family dynamic, and future plans as you’re putting together your must-have home feature list.
While you might not be able to get everything you desire, focusing on the top value-added features that can scale with your changing household needs can help you make the best home choice for the long term, and save on costly upgrades later on.
