Buyers Value Clean Air More Than Other Home Features

Proper ventilation is more important now than ever, with more than one-third of buyers seeking high-end air filtration in their next home

With wildfire smoke and other air quality issues becoming a greater concern across the U.S., homebuyers are prioritizing proper ventilation and clean air. According to a recent survey from real estate marketing platform Redfin, 36% of U.S. residents who plan to move within the next year say a clean home with high-end air filtration is the most important feature when it comes to their next home. The only feature that outdid clean air was home security, which was selected by 38% of homebuyers.

As wildfire smoke becomes more common, filtered indoor air is becoming a must-have rather than a nice-to-have. Homebuyers are already looking for homes that can protect their families during smoke events. And I expect that in the near future, buyers searching for single-family homes will also be looking for larger homes with versatile indoor space, where they can entertain themselves when smoke forces them inside.

- Daryl Fairweather, Redfin chief economist

What other features do homebuyers want?

After clean air and home security, 25% of buyers prioritize the views from their home, while 20% point to smart/connected home technology. Energy efficiency and resilience also are important to prospective buyers, with 19% prioritizing backup power generation or solar panels. Additionally, 14% of buyers say they’re looking for homes that have climate-resilient upgrades.

Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates