What Will Be the “It” Feature Every Buyer Wants in 2026 Homes?

As we look ahead to 2026, home-buying priorities continue to shift. Based on widespread industry research — including insights from Zillow — one feature emerges as the clear frontrunner for what buyers will want most: resilience + sustainability integrated seamlessly into the home. In other words, homes that are energy-efficient, climate-prepared, and tech-equipped will move from “nice to have” to “must-have”.

Let’s break down what this means for the 2026 market, especially for buyers and sellers in places like Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond, Prineville).

1. Why Resilience + Sustainability Is Becoming the Top Feature

• Listings mentioning zero-energy or net-zero homes jumped significantly (e.g., up ~70% in some Zillow data).

• Features like whole-home battery storage, EV charging, and fire/flood protection are appearing more frequently in listings and buyer wish-lists.

• Buyers are increasingly aware of climate risk (wildfires, floods, storms) and the cost of utilities, making homes that can handle those pressures more desirable.

• Smart home systems and flexible layouts remain important, but they are now being layered with sustainability and resilience, not just convenience.

2. What That Feature Looks Like in a Home

Here are some examples of how a “resilience + sustainability” focus might manifest:

• Solar panels + battery backup so your home keeps running even during outages

• Fire-resistant landscaping, materials, and defensible space (especially relevant in wildfire-prone areas like Central Oregon)

• Flood-resistance (elevation, drainage) or other features tied to weather risk

• High-efficiency insulation, windows, and HVAC systems that reduce bills and boost comfort

• EV charger built in with the electrical system ready

• Flexible, multi-use rooms (home office / gym / hobby space) with strong internet connectivity

• Smart home features that connect and optimize energy usage, security, and comfort

3. What It Means for Central Oregon (Bend / Redmond / Prineville)

In our region:

• Because wildfire risk is real and home heating/cooling costs matter, homes that check the “resilience + sustainability” box may have a higher perceived value.

• Buyers relocating from other states (remote workers) often prioritize lifestyle and future-proofing. A home ready for today’s challenges (climate, energy, flexibility) will stand out.

• Sellers should highlight these features in their listings — mention battery storage, upgraded exteriors, smart systems, solar readiness. That helps differentiate in a market where many homes may just have standard features.

• For buyers: if you’re choosing between two similar homes, the one with these features may offer better long-term value or resale potential.

4. How to Position or Prepare Your Home

• If you’re selling: Make sure any resilience/sustainability features are front and center in marketing. “Battery-backed solar”, “fire-rated siding”, “EV-ready garage” are powerful bullet points.

• If you’re buying: Ask for documentation. How strong is the battery system? What’s the expected utility savings? Has the property been hardened for regional risks (wildfire, etc.)?

• If you’re investing: These features may command a premium, but also deliver lower operating costs and less risk (vacancies, damage, upgraded system costs).

• Consider cost vs value. Not every luxury upgrade will pay off, but those tied to survival, cost-savings, and adaptability increasingly will.

If you’re buying, selling or investing, the “it” feature for 2026 is resilience + sustainability built into the home. A home that looks good is still important, but one that lives well, costs less, handles risk, and adapts to lifestyle changes is increasingly what every buyer wants.

For the Central Oregon market, incorporating these features or choosing homes that already have them will likely deliver stronger appeal and possibly better long-term value.

FAQs

Q: Does this mean homes without these features will lose value?

A: Not automatically. But over time, homes lacking resilience/sustainability may fall behind in buyer preference or require more upgrades to stay competitive.

Q: If a home already has solar + battery, is that enough?

A: It’s a strong start. But the full package includes structure/materials, connectivity, flexibility, risk mitigation and smart home systems.

Q: Are these features only for luxury homes?

A: No — while luxury homes often lead, many mid-market homes are incorporating these upgrades. The trend is moving toward mainstream. goliathdata.com

Q: How soon will this be a standard expectation?

A: For many markets, already. In 2026 this will be much more common and may shift from “nice extra” to “baseline expectation” for many buyers.