The luxury housing market was thriving at the end of 2023. Even with limited inventory and fluctuating interest rates, deep-pocketed buyers remain resolute about what they want (and don't want) in 2024. Amenities once considered ostentatious have become common, which has forced sellers and builders to take luxury to the next level.
Roughly 86% of luxury homebuyers rank double vanities as a must-have when searching for a home, according to a new survey of real estate agents from real estate brokerage Redfin.
Next in line are kitchen islands and granite or quartz countertops, with 85% of luxury buyers requesting both, followed by 83% requiring walk-in pantries. What’s more, over half of luxury homebuyers would likely not make an offer on a home with an outdated kitchen.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Among the agents surveyed, other “very common” items most high-end buyers deemed essential included heated floors (17%), an integrated sound system (14%), a prep kitchen (13%) and a coffee station (12%).
“Luxury buyers are looking to fall in love with their future home, and they often make emotional decisions because they have the financial means to do so,” said Andrew Rottner, a Redfin Premier Agent in Denver.
Luxury buyers want open floor plans and more
Open-concept floor plans were desirable to luxury buyers, according to more than 80% of the agents surveyed. Granite countertops were also ranked as “very desirable” over past trends such as sliding barn doors and shiplap, the agents said, with just 8% ranking these features as “very desirable” for buyers.
| Desirable home trends for buyers | Share of agents who said "very desirable" |
| Linoleum floors | 1% |
| Tile countertops | 2% |
| Wallpaper | 4% |
| Dog wash station | 5% |
| Bright-colored accent walls | 6% |
| Sliding barn doors | 8% |
| Shiplap | 8% |
| Wet bar or beverage center | 22% |
| Granite countertops | 51% |
| Open concept floor plans | 83% |
Coldwell Banker's most recent Global Luxury Report showed that luxury homebuyers want multifunctional homes that cram as many configurations as possible into their footprints, primarily because of how and where we now live, work and play, often under one roof.
High-end buyers are less interested in remodeling an older property to fit their needs and more likely to move into a modern space where even the furniture is picked out for them. Roughly 70% of agents surveyed noted a rise in the popularity of newly constructed homes, with luxury homebuyers showing “very little tolerance for outdated designs and features, even in situations where the construction is relatively new.”
Luxury buyers turned off by outdated kitchens
Over half (54%) of homebuyers are unlikely to make an offer on a luxury home if its kitchen is outdated, according to the Redfin agent survey. But when you consider that a kitchen update can cost between $78,000 and $154,000, depending on where you live, (according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report for 2023), sellers may be unwilling or unable to satisfy luxury homebuyers with everything they want, yet still make the sale.
Lack of curb appeal (48%), obsolete bathrooms (44%), and popcorn ceilings (40%) are the next undesirables. In the Redfin survey, agents were also asked when a buyer would decide not to make an offer on a home based on specific features.
| How common is it that a buyer decides not to make an offer | Share of agents who said “very common" |
| Poorly placed laundry room | 18% |
| Old appliances | 31% |
| Overly textured walls | 31% |
| Obscure paint colors | 33% |
| Outdated carpet | 38% |
| Popcorn ceiling | 40% |
| Outdated bathroom | 44% |
| Lack of curb appeal | 48% |
| Outdated kitchen | 54% |
Most sought-after outdoor feature
Nearly 70% of luxury homebuyers say landscaping is a must-have outdoor feature, and 58% say indoor/outdoor living spaces are highly desirable. A covered patio (46%) and a pool (33%) also rank high as prerequisites.
To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center.
Related Content
-
Delta Stock Remains a Strong Buy After EarningsDelta stock is soaring Friday after the air carrier beat earnings expectations and issued a strong outlook. Here's what investors need to know.
-
IRS Free File Is Now Open for 2025: Are Your Taxes Eligible?Tax Filing Official tax season may not begin until late January, but taxpayers can start filing online returns today.
-
The Wrong Money Question to Ask After Trump's ElectionIf you're wondering what moves to make with a new president moving into the White House, you're being dangerously shortsighted. Here's what to do instead.
-
All About Six Types of Auto Insurance CoverageDo you know what your auto insurance policy covers? Here's a primer on some coverage categories, along with examples of how each type of coverage works.
-
The Cheapest Places To Retire in the USWhen you're trying to balance a fixed income with an enjoyable retirement, cost of living is a crucial factor to consider.
-
Why You Should Check Your College's Financial HealthColleges throughout the country are struggling financially as enrollment shrinks and expenses rise, making it important to check the financial health of the college your or your child is attending.
-
Where to Store Your Cash in 2025Take a fresh look at budgeting and savings opportunities for where to store your cash this year, to ensure you leave no stone unturned.
-
Financial Planning: Sisters Should Be Doin' It for ThemselvesMore and more women are ringin' on their own financial bells (with apologies to Aretha Franklin and Eurythmics) — but that demands a robust financial plan.
-
The Verizon Administrative Settlement Payment is a Reminder Class-Action Lawsuits Won't Make You RichPeople are receiving payouts from the Verizon administrative settlement and are surprised at how small they are. This provides a helpful financial lesson reminder.
-
Seven Ways Retirees Can Crush Holiday Debt in the New YearHere's how to get rid of that holiday debt you racked up.
