Experts reveal their top 10 real estate trend forecasts for 2025 – here's what to look out for when buying or selling property this year

Buying and selling property is one of the most stressful life events, but it also presents an opportunity for exciting new beginnings.

With the 2025 property market already on an upwards swing and interest rates continuing to fall, being clued up on the top 10 rising real estate trends can help you buy and sell with confidence this year.

From small upgrades that can boost home value to larger investment renovations, here's why these trends will impact your property journey.

Real estate trends 2025

1. Integrated smart home technology

As Edgardo Defortuna, CEO of Fortune International Group, one of South Florida's most prominent real estate luxury sales and development firms, explains, 'Technology continues to play a critical role in the design marketing of condos. From virtual tours to smart home features, technology is making it easier for buyers to find and invest in properties that suit their exact needs,' making everyday life a little easier and more relaxed.

'Moving forward, I expect even more advancements in tech-driven amenities and services that enhance convenience and connectivity, such as remote management of rental units, automated home systems, and personalized digital concierge services.'

Furthermore, Liz Hogan, executive director of luxury estates at Compass Real Estate notes that these smart features, such as integrated security systems, speaker systems, and home automation, are now features that buyers in today's market typically have as part of their criteria when shopping for homes. She shares, 'I believe that this trend will only become more relevant as time progresses, and will revolutionize the standard for the kinds of amenities homes will include and what buyers look for.

‘Implementing smart home technology will benefit both the buyer and seller because the buyer will be buying a property that already has the smart home technology installed around the property, and the seller gets to charge a "premium" in the price for already including that amenity as part of the property.’

This heightened importance of technology is also echoed in virtual viewings – a trend still overhanging from the pandemic – which now, as mentioned by Defortuna, has taken on a new form, with the use of virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) technologies.

Keith Sant, realtor, founder, and CEO of Kind House Buyers, says, 'In the real estate industry, these technologies are expected to change how buyers experience properties. With VR, potential buyers can virtually tour a property right from their couch. This saves time and effort for both buyers and sellers, and lets buyers get a feel for the space without physically being there. On the other hand, AR can give valuable info about a property, like square footage, room dimensions, and potential renovations. These techs will make the buying process more efficient and convenient for everyone involved.’

Online real estate will also continue in 2025, with digital auctions, viewings, and agents making buying and selling more convenient. ‘But, make sure to do your homework and choose reputable online platforms for a smooth and successful transaction,’ Sant urges.

2. Increased interest in sustainable properties

Sustainable homes with significant eco-home improvements will also continue to dominate the spotlight in 2025, particularly as concerns about climate change and rising fuel prices reach an all time high.

Nathan Richardson, founder of CashForHome.com, advises, 'Among buyers, there is an increasing priority for energy-efficient features such as solar panels, smart thermostats, and high-performance insulation material.

'These reduce utility costs (helping you to save money at home and cut energy bills) but also match well with the growing eco-conscious mindset of millennials and those from Generation Z who are joining the market.

'These houses will appeal not only to this category of buyers, but also be viewed as future-proof investments.'

Additionally, when it comes to re-selling later down the line, Chelsea Werner, licensed real estate salesperson at Compass, adds, 'Homes designed for energy efficiency also help buyers with certain tax breaks, and makes it more attractive for resale value.'

Therefore, anything from investing in eco-heating to installing solar panels will be enough to help persuade buyers to your side.

All prices correct at time of publication.

3. Warm neutrals

When it comes to 2025 interiors ins and outs, one of the biggest switches has been a move towards warmer paint colors, as opposed to the crisper, cooler tones that dominated over the last few years.

Ashley DeHart, founder of Realty from DeHart, says, 'Some trends we will start seeing in 2025 are a shift from the white and gray theme that has had a foothold on interior design for a while to more 'greige' and warm neutral colors.'

This is something that Michael Altneu, VP of Global Luxury at Coldwell Banker agrees with, identifying it in their 2025 Trend Report. He says, 'With its strong emphasis on open floor plans and sleek lines softened with a natural material palette, 53.9% of Luxury Property Specialists cite that warm modernism is the most popular design style among today's affluent homebuyers.'

To decorate with neutrals, opt for the best warm neutral paints in your space, for a grounding feel and relaxing vibe.

4. Bringing the outside in

In 2025, there is also an increased focus on bringing the outside in, says luxury property expert Altneu.

He explains, 'Over 60% of Luxury Property Specialists surveyed identified indoor/ outdoor merging as among their top three luxury design features that are most popular with their clients, emphasizing the integration of nature into interior spaces.'

As identified by realtor DeHart, the modern twist on this trend is less about ivy wall stencils popular in the 90s and 00s, for example, and more about styling with natural materials, like bamboo accents, indoor plants, and eco-friendly materials and goods.

This may also be represented in large windows, or a balance of a home's façade and interior decor with nature, tying in your home's natural environment for harmonious design.

5. Homes with wellness spaces

Another quality of life upgrade that makes any property more appealing in 2025 is wellness in design. Think home gyms, saunas, and plunge pools, shares Lisa Simonsen, luxury real estate agent with Brown Harris Stevens in New York. ‘These are the new "amenity status symbols",’ she explains.

Luxury property expert Altneu identifies that, according to 74.4% of Luxury Property Specialists, a spa-like primary bath is the most popular wellness amenity, followed by fitness studios (47.1%).

If you are looking to improve the quality of wellness spaces in your home, something as simple as a spa bathroom can make an impact on a buyer. And, for a lower cost option, why not make your bathroom smell like a luxury spa, using cotton wool balls or pads, and essential oils, such as the Mainstays 100% Pure Essential Oil available at Walmart.

6. Flexible, multi-functional rooms

Real estate expert Richardson asserts, 'Another trend in 2025 is flexibility in spaces. Buyers are looking for homes where they can have multifunctional rooms that can serve as a home office, fitness studio, or guest room, depending on their needs due to the hybrid work model,' which has become adopted more and more since the fallout of the pandemic.

'This makes it easier for homeowners to move their property within a competitive market because it adds great value to it,' and is therefore one of the best ways to add value to your home in 2025.

As Paul Dashevsky, tiny home Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) authority, and co-founder and co-CEO of GreatBuildz explains, this is most commonly seen in the investment of flexible tiny homes. which have become a huge trend in modern real estate marketplace, exemplified by the extreme media buzz around Amazon now selling 'tiny homes,' complete with balconies and picture windows.

Yes, really, properties such as the Modern 2-Storey Tiny House 2 Bedrooms Portable Prefabricated Garden Home can be purchased at Amazon, for under $20,000.

'The rise of the tiny home Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) has been nothing short of spectacular,' says Dashevsky. 'Once a niche residential real estate concept, ADUs, often referred to as guest houses, granny flats, 'casitas' or in-law suites, have exploded in popularity, transforming backyards across the nation.

'This surge in interest reflects a growing need for flexible living spaces, a desire to increase property value (with renovation projects that will add value to your home), a means to generate revenue, and even a solution to some housing challenges.'

7. Personalization

Following a similar trend to warm, welcoming neutrals, an increasing number of buyers are also looking for personalized features when it comes to buying and selling property in 2025, says realtor DeHart.

She explains, 'We are seeing an uptick in people personalizing their homes to showcase their own style. Hidden book nooks, garden walls, and other features have been popping up, with social media platforms like TikTok pushing the trend.

'As people see others doing unique projects in their home, with step-by-step instructions, it has emboldened viewers to jump on the bandwagon.

'That being said,' she warns, 'not all of these things are great for resale value. The more nuanced the changes you make to your home are, the smaller the pool of potential buyers will see it as an asset.'

For something a little more mainstream, Jennifer Roberts, broker at Coldwell Banker Warburg, suggests taking advantage of wallpaper trends. She says, 'Homeowners are moving away from open floor plans and wanting distinct rooms that provide cozy spaces and functionality. Wallpaper is making a big comeback,' and is an easy way to inject personality in a space without changing aspects permanently.

8. Climate-proof design

Adam Hamilton, CEO of REI Hub advises that future-proofing homes against extreme weather is also becoming an attractive feature in the real estate market of 2025.

He says, 'Something that more buyers are frequently asking about, and that I think will continue to be popular in 2025, is climate-proof design. The specifics of this can vary depending on where the home is located.

'For example, buyers often want hurricane windows in areas where hurricanes and high winds are a top risk. Or, in areas where earthquakes are a concern, seismic retrofitting is popular. Not only are upgrades like these capable of making a home better equipped to withstand a major storm, they can also bring down homeowners insurance costs, which is a major plus.'

9. First-time luxury

According to luxury real estate expert Altneu, the way first-time buyers are buying a house is also changing in 2025.

He says, 'Luxury developers are focusing on personalized designs and strong, long-term investment potential to meet evolving luxury buyer expectations. In fact, a majority (47.9%) of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury specialists reported an increase in first-time luxury home-buyers.'

While, obviously, more expensive, this is an effective way to avoid buyer's remorse, and any signs a house isn't worth the investment.

10. A demand for space

Finally, and perhaps most unsurprisingly, John Walkup, co-founder of UrbanDigs, points out that demand for space – in suburban and other areas – will remain a trend.

'It's likely that the demand for suburban/ exurban spaces will continue,' he says. 'This will largely be driven by the proliferation of remote work.'

FAQs

Which room adds the most value to a house? 

Kitchens continue to add the most value to a home, especially when recently redecorated or remodeled with up-to-date appliances and cabinetry. Large, self-contained kitchens with an island or dining space are often seen as the most appealing going into the 2025 market, according to realtors.

Does interior design increase home value?  

Investing in your home’s interior design and its notable features, such as bathrooms and kitchens, will add value to your home and make it more alluring to buyers – especially if it is recently renovated and provides buyers with a space they will not have to splurge on when they first move in. Using interior design trends in easily changeable spots can help to pull buyers in, but sticking to timeless choices in main areas will ensure a sale.

'A home that stands out in 2025 will be a mix of desirable smart technology, eco-friendly features, and thoughtful design catering to contemporary lifestyles,' says property expert Richardson. 'Homeowners who invest in upgrades like an inviting outdoor space, well-lit home office, or energy-efficient appliances can significantly increase the appeal of their property to buyers. With these ongoing trends, homes are now better positioned for future-forward buyers in this dynamic real estate market.'

Next, find out about which gardening trends will be huge in 2025, to prepare your home for sale both inside and outside.