As the market rebounds, people are looking to rethink their lifestyle, and where they choose to live, the real estate market has also seen a change in what people want in a property due to the pandemic. Features that may not have been a priority are now on the top of people’s lists. When helping clients look for a new property, here are some must-have home features that have been trending as top priorities for buyers in 2020: 

Outdoor space: As we still slowly move back towards ‘normal’, our ‘new normal’ of social distancing, wearing masks, and not being inside tightly packed spaces seems to be the way going forward for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, many consumers are valuing homes and properties that offer outdoor spaces. Whether it is a pool and backyard, a deck, or a rural location with acreage, consumers are looking to invest in properties that allow them to safely socialize with their families and friends without heightening the risk of spreading the virus. Outdoor spaces and gardens also offer tranquility and an escape from the current pandemic situation. Properties that can offer buyers ample outdoor space will be high in demand and sought after versus properties such as apartments that offer little to no green space. 

Wellness: In line with the outdoor space trend, buyers are also looking for properties in areas that have access to outdoor recreation areas, such as national parks, walking trails and rail trails. Homes that also offer good light and ventilation to allow maximum airflow to help keep fresh air circulating, and lessen the risk of airborne viruses to remain inside are also a growing priority, making their way onto many buyer’s must-have home features lists. Making sure properties have air filtration systems or large windows to allow a breeze to circulate within a home will also be high on people’s checklists. 

Workspaces: As we continue to work from home, many consumers are making buying decisions with having spaces to create home offices. Whether this is a guest bedroom, a space off the kitchen, a finished basement or finished attic space, having these additional rooms to act as home offices are becoming an increasingly big priority for consumers. Properties that can immediately offer a home office space will be hot on consumer’s radars. 

Mudrooms: While mudrooms may have been something that was more accustomed to farmhouses and country getaways, consumers are now also interested in having a home with an ample mudroom to store shoes, jackets and have laundry facilities. This allows consumers to immediately put any masks or clothing straight into the washing machine, as well as allows for a space for guests to take off jackets and shoes right at the entrance, and wash their hands in order to help minimize any spread of the virus that might be possible when outside your home.  

Natural Surfaces: As research shows that COVID-19 has the shortest life span on natural surfaces such as copper and unlacquered brass and bronze, interior design experts expect to see an increased interest in consumer’s moving back to these metals for surfaces on tables and countertops. 

When showing properties to consumers, consider these trends and changes in many buyer’s must-have home features lists, and use them as selling points for your properties. These shifts in what consumers are now looking for when buying properties during the COVID-19 pandemic will likely become the new normal for many when considering buying properties. As we shift our own lifestyle to adapt to these times, they will likely in the future include prioritizing properties that can offer these amenities.