Americans buying newly built homes are working with a lot less space, but that doesn’t mean their expectations are any lower. In fact, it means they’re looking to maximize every square foot.At the 2025 National Association of Real Estate Editors conference held earlier this month in New Orleans, Rose Quint, assistant vice president for survey research at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), shared during a panel discussion what today’s homebuyers value most.Drawing from NAHB’s 2024 What Home Buyers Really Want report, a national survey of more than 3,000 recent and prospective homebuyers, Quint revealed that buyers are prioritizing spacious kitchens, ample outdoor space, and smart technology.”High home prices and elevated mortgage rates have made homebuyers keenly aware of what features add the most value to their daily lives,” Quint said. “Buyers have determined that investing in the kitchen, in a patio, and home security features enhances the livability of a home.”According to NAHB’s survey, here are four trends shaping homebuying — from a bigger kitchen that focuses on efficiency to smart thermostats that allow homeowners to control their home’s temperature remotely.