Different buyers are looking for different things, and at different times, when looking to buy a house, but there are some commonalities, according to some Realtors.

“From first-time buyers to early-career professionals aiming to capture a broad spectrum of essential features and desires, many of my (clients) prioritize move-in ready homes,” said Jennifer Woomer, a Realtor and associate broker for The Maven Team at VSD Realty LLC.

“There is a strong desire for turnkey properties among Cleveland families,” Woomer said. “Many young professionals value their time, making move-in ready homes a logical preference over fixer-uppers.”

There is a strong inclination toward move-in ready properties due to time constraints and busy lifestyles, explaining why turnkey is so appealing now especially when combined with desirable community features like good schools and proximity to employment centers, according to Woomer.

“However, there are some young families that love the charm and character of the older, beautiful homes,” Woomer said. “They are fine slowly improving the home over time,” such as installing a central air conditioner or updating kitchen and bathrooms.

Homebuyers also consider hardwood floors, moldings, high ceilings and large yards a house on the market can provide, according to Woomer.

“Another trend I see is multiple generations in one home,” she said. “They are looking for finished basements and third floors so that they can have plenty of space for everyone.” “In summary buyers run the gamut but many play it safe with move in ready homes or those that have good bones and just need a little updating.”

But as every Realtor, and most sellers and buyers know these days, “the most important factor is location, location, location,” Woomer said.

Susie Loparo, a Realtor with RE/MAX Crossroads Properties in Cleveland Heights, concurs that turnkey houses are typically among the most desirable on the market.

“Most buyers don’t want to have to remodel or update to their liking and are willing to concede some things, such as the square footage of the house, to have a home that is updated,” Loparo said.

Still, some buyers will focus on another desire, such as space, and plan ahead for some changes to make at a later time, according to Loparo.

Specific amenities can also create a particular demand for a house.

“Home offices were not much of a thing before COVID, but now having a room set aside for use as a home office is a selling point,” in the hybrid, work-from-home business model that remains nearly seven years after the pandemic, Loparo said.

Mud rooms, a secondary entrance into a house where soiled shoes, raincoats, or other outdoor wear be-fore stepping into a living room or kitchen, is another desirable feature that if already added onto an older house, elevates its demand above similar size and aged houses, according to Loparo.

“Families are most often looking for houses that already meet their needs and what they want in a house, without requiring any investment to make those changes after they buy it,” Loparo said.

Anthony Corvo is a freelance journalist.