Renters are rethinking their must–haves when shopping for a new home. Rentals with in-unit laundry and off-street parking are still in high demand. But once those are checked off, today’s renter is much less impressed by swimming pools, fitness rooms, and business centers.
In fact, rentals with these perks are getting fewer saves and shares compared to similar listings:
- Business centers get listings 24% fewer daily saves and 27% fewer daily shares
- Fitness rooms contribute to 26% fewer daily saves and 31% fewer daily shares.
- Swimming pools get 10% fewer daily saves and 13% fewer daily shares.
Don’t get us wrong—swimming pools are great. But if you live in a place where you can’t utilize it year round, then it is not much of a benefit really.
As for a fitness center, points for not having to drive anywhere to break a sweat. But a room with exercise equipment doesn’t provide the accountability you get with some gym memberships.
PREFERRED FEATURES FOR RENTERS IN 2024
Based on an analysis of nearly 5.6 million rental listings—including apartment buildings and single-family homes—Renters are showing a distinct preference for properties that mention the following features:
- Pet areas—A pet-friendly patch of turf (even better if there’s a supply of baggies nearby for collecting and disposing of pet deposits). Rental units mentioning this feature received 76% more daily saves and 91% more daily shares, on average.
- Air filtration—Post-COVID, more renters are prioritizing air filtration to eliminate (as much as possible) airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as allergens and irritants, like the smoke from recent wildfires. Rental units with this feature are getting 72% more saves and 79% more shares per day.
- Happy hours—Renters look with a friendly eye on listings that prioritize communal spaces and social activities for tenants. Rentals with this perk are getting 50% more shares and 67% more saves per day compared to similar listings without.
- Coworking spaces—In place of business centers, renters are more likely to save and share listings with coworking spaces with work-friendly amenities. Rentals with this feature are getting 16% more saves and 23% more shares per day.
Meanwhile, the most in-demand amenities get more attention online compared to similar listings without them:
- Off-street parking contributes to 85% more daily saves and 103% more daily shares.
- In-unit laundry attracts 76% more daily saves and 92% more daily shares.
Other perks that attract more saves and shares:
- Finished basement: 72% more daily saves, 112% more daily shares
- Butcher block (countertops): 58% more daily saves, 69% more daily shares
- Barn door: 56% more daily saves, 72% more daily shares
- Reserved parking: 52% more daily saves, 51% more daily shares
- Modern farmhouse: 51% more daily saves, 61% more daily shares
Renters today who are looking at higher-end rentals may expect a suite of amenities. Some features, such as a fitness center, don’t stand on their own, but are most often paired with other desirable amenities, such as a playground, or a tennis or sport court like pickleball. Every renter will have their own priorities so it’s important for a property manager or landlord to list everything a unit has to offer.
