Home Features That Millennial Homebuyers Love

Curb Appeal

Lawn and yard care take some work , and most millennials don't have the time for much maintenance. Yet lawns and gardens rank high on their wish list.

Low-maintenance landscaping is a big draw. Smaller shrubs in the front along with evergreen trees such as Eastern red cedars and black spruce won’t lose their leaves or require much raking. Native flowers and trees don’t need much water or care and add to the curb appeal.

Smart Homes

Men and women born between 1980 and 2000 — now make up about 35 percent of the housing market, and they’re changing the way we build homes. Technology is essential. Some new homes already come with a built-in resident -- Alexa.

Today, prospective buyers start their home search online, looking at photographs and reading the details of homes on the market. According to the N ational Association of Realtors , 99 percent of millennials search online for homes for sale.

These younger buyers also live a busy lifestyle, with work taking up a good part of their day. Anything to put home life on cruise-control is a selling point. Millennial homebuyers love climate control systems, televisions, home security, and automatic sprinklers that they can adjust with the tap of an app or via a virtual assistant.

Energy Efficient

The new generation of homebuyers cares about the environment and saving money. Energy efficiency is crucial. Homes that offer the RESNET Energy Smart label translate to lower utility bills, a lower carbon footprint, and appliances that last longer.

Solar panels and zero-energy homes are big draws. This environmental focus carries over to lawn care, too, with millennials often opting for electric lawn mowers or even throwback manual push mowers.

Inside the house, there are three main focal points:

1. The Kitchen

A large, cozy kitchen with ample counter space and seating is a real draw for young people who prefer to hang out and chat while the host prepares a meal. An open floor plan with the kitchen facing the living room is especially nice during social gatherings.

And the stove? State-of-the-art stoves are table stakes. Two sinks are a big help, lots of cabinets are sought-after (much like closet space), and a big kitchen island for food prep and serving feasts among friends catch the eyes of young homebuyers

2. Home Office

With more people working from home, having dedicated office space is a must. In today’s connected world, it’s nice to have a place to sit, play on the computer, pay some bills, write emails, video chat, and focus on daily chores.

The home office also should have adequate outlets to power up all mobile devices. Wi-Fi capabilities are essential; more important than old phone jacks. The ability to hook up artificial intelligence (AI) and “smart” technology is a selling point.

3. Fido Friendly

Seven out of 10 millennials own at least one dog. That’s why many are moving out of apartments and into houses with backyards. Sturdy fencing is important -- you don’t want your best friend to run away! Shade trees and an area for the dogs to run are perks that sell.

The best thing about buying a brand new home is the opportunity to design it yourself . Want his and her home offices or an outdoor kitchen? Mix and match the features that meet your needs. You’re not just building a house with Allen Edwin Homes. You’re building a future.

When Linda Zhang isn’t redoing one of the rooms in her own house, she’s writing about home decor and other real estate issues.