Top 11 Items Millennials Look for in a Home

Millennials are reshaping the real estate market with their unique preferences and priorities. Born between 1981 and 1996, this generation values certain key features that cater to their lifestyle, career choices, and future plans. As they become a dominant force in the housing market, understanding what drives their home-buying decisions is crucial for sellers and real estate professionals alike.

1. Separate Laundry Room

A dedicated laundry space ranks high on the list for millennial buyers. They appreciate the convenience of a separate area for laundry, especially one that integrates with other functional spaces like a mudroom. This allows them to keep household chores organized and separate from their living and entertaining areas.

2. Smart Home Technology

Given their affinity for technology, millennials seek homes equipped with smart devices such as Nest thermostats, smart locks, and automated lighting systems. These features offer convenience and energy efficiency, appealing to their tech-forward lifestyle. Millennials grew up in a fast-paced world of tech, surrounded by desktop computers and gadgets, which is why the Internet is their go-to resource for researching listings. One survey found that 63% of millennials mostly used their smartphones to search for properties.

3. Suburban Location

While urban living appeals to some, many millennials prioritize suburban areas for their affordability, family-friendly environments, and access to amenities like parks, schools, and public transit. The suburbs are appealing to millennial homebuyers due to affordable housing prices and certain amenities. Proximity to work, public transportation and a central downtown is equally important. Millennials also prefer areas that have convenient access to good public school districts, well-kept parks, jogging trails, and shopping and entertainment.

4. Open Concept

An open floor plan enhances social interactions and entertaining, reflecting millennials' preference for flexible living spaces that blend kitchen, dining, and living areas seamlessly. Unlike their predecessors, millennials like to cook together and build their social experiences around group activities. These types of interactions require flexible, open floor plans that incorporate the kitchen and dining room areas. Closed-off formal dining rooms were once a home necessity, but they do not have much charm for young people today. An open floor plan offers an airy appeal, and is a must-have for young buyers since it offers seamless entertaining for any event.

5. Outdoor Access

The environmentally friendly generation values access to green spaces. Today’s young buyers seek a relaxing, outdoor oasis where they can decompress after a long workday and socialize with guests. One study found that 57% of millennials prefer living in the suburbs so they can have more access to larger backyards and public green areas. Functional outdoor spaces that include a kitchen, fire pit, patio, deck, pool, front porch or vegetable garden have vast appeal. An indoor/outdoor living space with a seating and dining area also allows homeowners to expand their square footage to include the outdoors.

6. Strong Community

Millennials seek a strong sense of community in their daily lives, and place a priority on the neighborhood when searching for a home. Selling points that are likely to draw millennials include living areas with rooftop bars, outdoor dining options, monthly social events and coworking spaces for their flexible careers. Being near coffee shops, fitness facilities and yoga studios helps millennials feel like they belong to a community. Pet-friendly and golf course communities are also favored by young homebuyers. In fact, one survey found that 33% of millennials were influenced by their pets — not children or marriage — when purchasing their first home.

7. Storage Solutions

Ample storage options, including walk-in closets and functional kitchen pantries, help millennials maintain an organized and clutter-free home environment. Young homebuyers seek ample storage when house hunting. Storage can come in many forms, such as a walk-in pantry, linen closet, sizable garage and walk-in closet. Having plenty of built-in storage makes it easier for millennials to keep their homes clutter-free and embrace a simpler lifestyle. Storage solutions also can make a home seem more spacious and refined.

8. Updated Kitchen

Modern kitchens with features like farmhouse sinks, stainless steel appliances, and central islands are crucial for millennials who view the kitchen as a focal point for social gatherings and culinary creativity. These days, the kitchen is not just for cooking purposes — Gen Y homeowners are using the space to entertain. They desire a modern, expansive kitchen that flows into the living room. Essential items millennial buyers favor in kitchens include:

• Farmhouse sinks

• Stainless steel appliances

• Sub-zero refrigerators

• Recessed lighting

• Built-in microwaves and wine coolers

• Central islands with a sink or range

9. Home Office Space

With remote work on the rise, dedicated home office spaces are a must-have for millennials balancing work and lifestyle preferences. Just as Gen Y is transforming the home market, it is also changing the workplace. Many millennials have careers where they can work from the comfort of their home. Prospective homebuyers seek a dedicated space where they can work and take conference calls during the day. Home sellers can showcase a dwelling’s live/work versatility by highlighting flexible spaces that can be converted into an office.

10. Revamped Bathroom

Since most millennial homebuyers are often buying a house on a budget, a dwelling with outdated bathrooms can be a major turnoff. Young buyers are looking for comfort in a bathroom, with trendy features such as high-tech showerheads, vanities with two sinks, a shower and tub in the master bath, and an updated bathroom. High-tech showerheads and updated bathrooms appeal to millennial buyers looking for comfort and style.