Buyer preferences shift. What sold homes five years ago doesn’t necessarily sell them today. What buyers wanted a decade ago might actually hurt you now.
After 30 years selling Las Vegas homes, I’ve watched these shifts happen in real time. Features that once commanded premium prices become standard expectations. Amenities that used to impress become liabilities. Layouts that felt modern start feeling dated.
Understanding what today’s buyers want, and what they don’t, helps you position your home to sell faster and for more money. Here’s what’s driving buyer decisions in the current Las Vegas market.
Kitchen Priorities Have Evolved
Kitchens still drive buying decisions, but what buyers want in those kitchens has changed.
What’s In Demand
Kitchen recycling centers. Environmental consciousness has moved from niche concern to mainstream expectation. Buyers want convenient, concealed space for recycling bins. A pullout cabinet with separate compartments for recyclables signals that the kitchen was designed with modern living in mind.
If your kitchen doesn’t have a dedicated recycling solution, consider adding a pullout trash and recycling cabinet before listing. These retrofit systems cost a few hundred dollars and address a feature buyers actively look for.
Natural stone or concrete countertops. Laminate countertops have lost their appeal with most buyers. Granite, quartz, and even concrete convey quality and permanence. Prices for stone countertops have dropped enough that they’re accessible for mid-range homes.
If your countertops are laminate, tile, or another dated material, upgrading to stone is one of the most impactful changes you can make. Buyers notice countertops immediately.
Restaurant-look stainless steel appliances. The commercial kitchen aesthetic has trickled down to residential design. Buyers want appliances that look professional and substantial. Stainless steel remains the dominant preference.
You don’t need actual commercial equipment. Several manufacturers offer residential appliances with commercial styling at reasonable prices. The look matters more than the specifications.
Wine refrigerators. Once considered a luxury feature, wine storage has become common enough that many buyers expect it. A small wine fridge tucked into kitchen cabinetry signals sophistication without requiring major investment.
If you’re updating your kitchen and have cabinet space available, consider adding a wine refrigerator. Units start under $300 and appeal to a broad range of buyers.
What’s Standard Now
Some features that once impressed buyers are now baseline expectations. You won’t get premium pricing for them, but their absence will hurt you.
Buyers expect functional kitchen layouts with adequate counter space. They expect sufficient cabinet storage. They expect appliances that work properly and look reasonably current. They expect good lighting.
Meeting these expectations keeps you competitive. Exceeding them, through stone countertops, quality appliances, and thoughtful features like recycling centers, helps you stand out.
Bathroom Expectations Have Shifted
Master bathrooms have become retreat spaces. Buyers want functionality, but they also want an experience.
What’s In Demand
Dual everything in master baths. Couples with busy schedules don’t want to negotiate bathroom time. Two vanities, two sinks, and even two shower stalls in master bathrooms have strong appeal.
If your master bath has a single vanity with wall space for expansion, consider whether adding a second sink makes sense. The upgrade signals that the home accommodates modern family life.
Radiant floor heat. Stepping onto warm tile on a cold morning feels luxurious. Radiant floor heating systems have become affordable enough for mainstream homes.
If you’re replacing bathroom flooring anyway, adding electric underfloor heat costs $850 to $1,050 for a typical bathroom. That investment registers with buyers who’ve experienced heated floors elsewhere.
No-threshold showers. As the population ages, easy-access showers gain importance. Stepping over high tub walls creates fall risk. Walk-in showers with no threshold address safety concerns while looking sleek and modern.
This feature appeals strongly to Baby Boomers and anyone thinking about aging in place. Given demographic trends, no-threshold showers will only become more desirable.
Handled showerheads and doorless stalls. Detachable showerheads with flexible hoses offer convenience that fixed heads can’t match. Open shower designs without doors feel spacious and easy to clean.
These features signal thoughtful bathroom design. They cost relatively little to incorporate but create positive impressions.
What’s Declining
Whirlpool tubs. Master bathroom whirlpools were must-have features for decades. That era has passed.
Homeowners report that whirlpool tubs take up too much bathroom space. They’re difficult to clean properly. The whirlpool jets harbor bacteria if not maintained carefully. And most owners admit they rarely actually use the whirlpool function.
If your master bath has a functioning whirlpool, you don’t need to remove it. But if you’re renovating and choosing new fixtures, a large soaking tub or oversized shower will appeal to more buyers than a whirlpool replacement.
Pedestal sinks. Pedestal sinks look elegant in photographs. In daily life, they offer zero storage. Every toiletry needs somewhere else to go.
Buyers with practical mindsets see pedestal sinks as problems to solve. Vanities with cabinet storage consistently outperform pedestals for resale purposes.
Open Floor Plans Still Win
The trend toward open, connected living spaces shows no sign of reversing. Buyers want to see from the kitchen into the living area. They want natural light flowing through multiple rooms. They want flexibility in how they use space.
What’s In Demand
Good sight lines. When standing in the kitchen, buyers want to see into adjacent living and dining areas. Walls that block these views make homes feel compartmentalized and dated.
If your home has walls separating kitchen, dining, and living areas, consider whether removal makes sense. Non-load-bearing walls can often be removed for $500 to $1,000. Load-bearing walls require more investment but can transform how a home feels.
Kitchen, dining, and living connection. The formal separation of cooking, eating, and relaxing spaces feels increasingly outdated. Today’s buyers want these functions to flow together.
If you have a formal dining room that rarely gets used, consider how that space might serve modern lifestyles. A home office, for example, makes more sense adjacent to the kitchen than a bedroom would.
Impressive master suites. While open plans dominate common areas, buyers still want private retreats. Large master bedrooms with spacious closets and roomy bathrooms command attention.
The trend toward impressive master suites reflects demographic shifts. Couples marrying later often want adult-focused homes rather than child-focused layouts. Generous master spaces appeal to this growing buyer segment.
What’s Declining
Two-story entrance foyers. Grand, double-height foyers were popular in certain decades. They’ve fallen out of favor.
The problem is wasted space. All that volume above your head could be a room. Heating and cooling two-story spaces costs more. And the dramatic entry often leads to ordinary spaces beyond, creating an awkward mismatch.
If your home has a two-story foyer, you can’t easily change it. But understand that some buyers will view it as a negative rather than a positive.
Oversized luxury homes. The biggest homes on the market face headwinds. Buyers who might have sought 6,000 or 7,000 square feet a decade ago now prefer homes in the 3,500 to 4,500 square foot range.
Smaller luxury homes are easier to maintain, less expensive to operate, and often better designed. Square footage alone no longer impresses the way it once did.
Accessibility Features Are Gaining Ground
America is aging. Every day, roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65. This demographic wave is reshaping buyer preferences.
What’s In Demand
No-threshold showers. I mentioned these in the bathroom section, but they deserve emphasis. Walk-in showers without barriers appeal to aging buyers and anyone thinking about long-term livability.
Residential ramps. Ramps leading to entries allow access for wheelchairs, walkers, and anyone with mobility challenges. Even buyers who don’t currently need ramps appreciate homes designed for accessibility.
Home elevators. In multi-story homes, elevators remove the daily challenge of stairs. Once exotic, residential elevators have become more common in higher-end construction.
If your home has an elevator, emphasize it in marketing. If you’re building or heavily renovating, consider whether elevator installation makes sense for your target buyer demographic.
Single-level layouts. Homes where all primary living happens on one floor appeal strongly to aging buyers. No stairs to navigate means no barriers to daily life.
Ranch-style homes and those with first-floor master suites attract buyers who prioritize accessibility. This preference will only strengthen as Boomers age.
First-floor master bedrooms. Even in two-story homes, having the master suite on the main level removes the need for daily stair climbing. This layout allows owners to age in place even if upstairs bedrooms eventually go unused.
If your home has a first-floor master, highlight this feature. It’s increasingly valuable to buyers thinking about long-term livability.
Backyard Living Has Intensified
Outdoor spaces have always mattered in Las Vegas, where the climate allows year-round use. Recent years have amplified this preference.
What’s In Demand
High-end landscaping. Interestingly, landscaping investment has shifted from front yards to backyards. Buyers want impressive outdoor spaces for their own enjoyment, not just for curb appeal.
Well-designed backyard landscaping with mature plants, defined areas, and visual interest creates immediate buyer connection. It suggests a lifestyle, not just a property.
Large decks and patios. Outdoor living space extends the home’s functional square footage. Generous decks and patios for entertaining, dining, and relaxing appeal to buyers imagining their life in your home.
If your outdoor space is limited or poorly defined, consider whether deck or patio expansion makes sense before listing.
Outdoor cooking stations. Built-in grills, outdoor kitchens, and cooking areas have moved from novelty to expectation in many markets. Buyers who entertain want to do so outside.
You don’t need a full outdoor kitchen to satisfy this preference. A well-designed grilling area with counter space and storage can check the box.
Privacy screening. Fences, walls, hedges, and strategic landscaping that create privacy in outdoor spaces add significant value. Buyers want backyards that feel like private retreats, not fishbowls.
If your backyard is exposed to neighbors or lacks defined boundaries, adding privacy elements can improve buyer response dramatically.
Desert Considerations
Las Vegas buyers understand our climate. They don’t expect, or necessarily want, lush lawns requiring constant watering.
Desert-appropriate landscaping appeals to buyers who understand the ongoing costs and effort of maintaining grass in this environment. Xeriscaping, native plants, and water-efficient designs signal smart homeownership.
Covered outdoor areas provide relief from intense summer sun. Patios and decks without shade structures have limited use during our hottest months. Covered spaces extend the outdoor living season.
Pool expectations vary. In some Las Vegas neighborhoods, pools are standard. In others, they’re optional. Understand your neighborhood’s norms.
Buyers who want pools will filter their search accordingly. Buyers who don’t want pools may see them as maintenance burdens. Know your target buyer and market your pool, or lack of one, appropriately.
Green Features Are Mainstream
Environmental consciousness has moved from fringe to mainstream buyer concern. Green features that once impressed now often meet basic expectations.
What’s In Demand
Bamboo floors. Bamboo provides the look and feel of hardwood without the environmental concerns of deforestation. It’s a sustainable material that appeals to eco-conscious buyers.
If you’re replacing flooring, bamboo is worth considering. It’s durable, attractive, and carries positive environmental associations.
Triple-glazed windows. Standard double-pane windows insulate reasonably well. Triple-glazed windows insulate 10% to 11% better. In a climate like Las Vegas with extreme temperatures, that additional efficiency reduces cooling and heating costs noticeably.
Triple-glazed windows cost more than double-pane alternatives. But for buyers focused on long-term operating costs, they represent smart investment. If you’re replacing windows anyway, consider the upgrade.
Energy-efficient HVAC systems. Modern heating and cooling equipment operates far more efficiently than systems from 15 or 20 years ago. Buyers increasingly check HVAC age and efficiency ratings.
If your HVAC system is approaching end of life, replacing it before listing removes a buyer concern and demonstrates commitment to the home.
Solar readiness. Even if you haven’t installed solar panels, having a roof designed for future installation appeals to some buyers. South-facing roof planes with minimal obstructions suggest solar potential.
Reduced Home Sizes at High End
An interesting green trend appears at the luxury end of the market. Buyers who might have sought 6,000+ square foot homes are increasingly choosing smaller, more efficient luxury properties.
Homes in the 3,500 to 4,500 square foot range are holding value better than their oversized counterparts. Buyers are realizing that quality design matters more than sheer size, and smaller homes have lower environmental footprints.
This shift affects how luxury homes should be marketed. Efficiency and thoughtful design now compete with raw square footage as selling points.
What Doesn’t Impress Anymore
Some features that once commanded attention now fall flat with buyers.
Formal living rooms rarely get used in modern life. Buyers see them as wasted square footage. If your formal living room could be repurposed as an office, playroom, or flex space, consider staging it that way.
Formal dining rooms face similar challenges. Many families eat at kitchen islands or casual dining areas. A separate dining room used only for holidays feels like wasted space.
Oversized rooms without purpose no longer impress. A massive living room that dwarfs furniture looks poorly designed, not luxurious. Right-sized rooms with good proportions appeal more than overwhelming spaces.
Quantity over quality has reversed. Ten small bedrooms impress less than five properly sized ones. Buyers want rooms they’ll actually use, not long lists of rooms they won’t.
How to Position Your Las Vegas Home
Understanding buyer preferences helps you decide where to invest before listing and how to market what you have.
Audit your home against current preferences. Walk through with fresh eyes. Does your kitchen meet modern expectations? Do your bathrooms offer what buyers want? Is your floor plan open enough? How do your outdoor spaces compare?
Invest where gaps are obvious. If your countertops are dated laminate, stone replacement addresses a clear preference. If your master bath has a whirlpool but no shower, conversion might make sense. If your backyard lacks privacy, screening adds real value.
Market strengths that match trends. If your home has a first-floor master, emphasize it. If you have no-threshold showers, highlight them. If your backyard is designed for entertaining, showcase that lifestyle.
Don’t fight demographics. Aging Boomers and their priorities are reshaping the market. Accessibility features, single-level living, and low-maintenance designs will only become more valuable. Position your home to capture this growing buyer segment where possible.
Acknowledge your home’s reality. If your home has a two-story foyer or whirlpool tub, you can’t easily change those features. Price accordingly and focus marketing on your home’s genuine strengths rather than fighting against buyer preferences you can’t address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features do home buyers want most right now?
Current buyers prioritize open floor plans with connected kitchen, dining, and living areas. In kitchens, they want stone countertops, stainless appliances, and recycling centers. In bathrooms, dual vanities, no-threshold showers, and radiant floor heat appeal strongly. Outdoor living space and accessibility features are increasingly important.
Are whirlpool tubs still popular with buyers?
Whirlpool tubs have declined significantly in popularity. Buyers report they take too much space, are difficult to clean, and go largely unused. Large soaking tubs or oversized showers now appeal to more buyers than whirlpool replacements.
Do buyers still want formal dining rooms?
Formal dining rooms have lost appeal with many buyers who see them as rarely-used space. Homes where dining areas connect openly to kitchens and living spaces attract more interest. Consider staging formal dining rooms as offices or flex spaces to show alternative uses.
What bathroom features are buyers looking for?
Buyers want dual vanities and sinks in master baths, no-threshold walk-in showers, radiant floor heating, handled showerheads, and abundant storage. Accessibility features that support aging in place are gaining importance as the population ages.
Are open floor plans still desirable?
Yes. Buyers continue to prefer open layouts with good sight lines between kitchen, dining, and living areas. The connected, flowing spaces feel modern and flexible. Compartmentalized layouts with separated rooms feel dated by comparison.
What outdoor features do Las Vegas buyers want?
Las Vegas buyers want large patios and decks, outdoor cooking areas, privacy screening, and thoughtful landscaping. Desert-appropriate landscaping appeals to buyers who understand water costs. Covered outdoor areas extend usability during hot summer months.
Do accessibility features help sell homes?
Accessibility features increasingly help sell homes as Baby Boomers age. No-threshold showers, first-floor master bedrooms, single-level layouts, and ramps appeal to buyers thinking about long-term livability. These features will only become more valuable.
Are huge luxury homes still in demand?
Oversized luxury homes face headwinds. Buyers increasingly prefer homes in the 3,500 to 4,500 square foot range over 6,000+ square foot properties. Smaller luxury homes are easier to maintain, less expensive to operate, and often better designed.
What kitchen features matter most to buyers?
Stone countertops (granite, quartz, or concrete), stainless steel appliances with professional styling, good lighting, adequate storage, and recycling centers top buyer priorities. The commercial kitchen aesthetic translated to residential scale appeals strongly.
Should I add a wine refrigerator before selling?
If you have cabinet space available, adding a wine refrigerator can appeal to buyers. Units start under $300 and have become common enough that many buyers expect or appreciate them. It’s a relatively low-cost way to add a feature buyers notice.
Key Takeaways
- Open floor plans with connected kitchen, dining, and living areas continue to dominate buyer preferences
- Kitchen priorities include stone countertops, stainless appliances, recycling centers, and wine refrigerators
- Master bathroom preferences have shifted toward dual vanities, no-threshold showers, and radiant floor heat
- Whirlpool tubs have fallen out of favor while pedestal sinks lose to vanities with storage
- Accessibility features like first-floor masters and no-threshold showers gain importance as Boomers age
- Outdoor living space with cooking areas, privacy screening, and quality landscaping matters more than ever
- Two-story foyers and oversized luxury homes appeal to fewer buyers than they once did
- Green features like bamboo floors and triple-glazed windows have moved from novelty to expectation
- Las Vegas buyers appreciate desert-appropriate landscaping and covered outdoor areas
- Homes in the 3,500-4,500 square foot range are holding value better than oversized luxury properties
