What Homebuyers Want in 2024: Data-Driven Trends from Stellar MLS

November 22, 2024


This year, homebuyers sought more than just a house; they wanted a lifestyle. As we step into 2025, homebuyers’ preferences are evolving, guided by trends that reflect changing lifestyles, priorities, and values. With uncertainty in the real estate market, Stellar MLS is here to provide real estate agents with the data, insights, and tools they need to understand these shifts and serve their customers with confidence. In this post, we’ll explore some of the major trends that are shaping homebuyer desires this year, from multifunctional spaces to sustainability. By leveraging Stellar MLS’s data and agent feedback, real estate professionals can guide their customers to find homes that truly fit their needs.  



1. Location with Lifestyle: Walkability and Nearby Amenities

Location has always been a cornerstone of real estate, but in 2024, buyers are not only looking at the neighborhood—they’re considering the lifestyle it offers. Walkability, proximity to dining and shopping, and access to green spaces are now top priorities for many homebuyers.  


Stellar Insight: Our data shows that properties close to lifestyle amenities are consistently in demand, with more buyers searching for communities that offer a blend of convenience and community. In fact, listings in areas with higher walkability scores tend to attract more views and inquiries, underscoring the value of lifestyle-focused locations. 


Stellar MLS Tip: For agents, connecting customers with properties that align with their lifestyle can enhance their buying experience. Want to elevate your listings and attract more qualified buyers? Whether it’s a neighborhood known for great dining or a home near a nature trail, Stellar’s data tools make it easy to identify and showcase listings that offer more than just a home—they offer a community experience. 


2. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency 

As environmental awareness grows, homebuyers in 2024 are increasingly looking for properties that reflect their values around sustainability. Energy-efficient homes—those with solar panels, energy-saving appliances, or high-performance windows—are particularly attractive to buyers who want to minimize both their environmental impact and their utility bills.

 

Stellar Insight: Sustainable & energy efficient features can make homes stand out in today's market. Recently there has been a rise in search queries related to energy efficiency, meaning buyers are actively seeking these features. By understanding this trend, agents can present homes with eco-friendly features as an investment in both their clients’ future and the environment. 


Stellar MLS Tip: Highlighting a home’s energy-saving upgrades—like programmable thermostats, energy-efficient HVAC systems, or eco-friendly building materials—could make a difference in a competitive market. Agents can utilize Stellar’s detailed listing data to emphasize these features, connecting their customers with homes that reflect both their lifestyle needs and their environmental values. 

 

3. Flexibility and Multi-Functional Spaces 

One of the most prominent trends among homebuyers is the desire for flexibility. Many people remain to work from home, taking on creative hobbies, and pursuing wellness at home. They’re looking for spaces that adapt to various functions: a spare room that can serve as a guest room, an office, a gym, or a living room that transforms easily for entertaining. 


Stellar Insight: Our data shows that listings with designated "flex spaces" are gaining significant traction. By highlighting rooms with adaptable layouts, open-concept floor plans, or bonus rooms, agents can make properties more appealing to modern buyers. 


Stellar MLS Tip: When listing properties, agents can spotlight these flexible spaces to cater to buyers’ desire for a home that grows with them—whether that means accommodating a remote work setup, fitness goals, or hosting loved ones. With Stellar MLS data, agents can quickly identify and highlight these adaptable spaces in their listings to attract potential buyers. Take advantage of Stellar MLS's insights today and position yourself as the go-to agent for discerning homebuyers. 

 

4. Technology-Enabled Homes 

Smart homes are no longer futuristic—they’re now a standard expectation for many buyers. With an increasing number of households using technology for security, energy management, and entertainment, buyers are seeking properties equipped with the latest smart technology.  


Stellar Insight: Homes equipped with smart technology are becoming a significant draw in listings. Homes with smart features often have higher visibility and attract tech-savvy buyers who are looking for convenience, security, and the ability to control their home environment at the touch of a button. 


Stellar MLS Tip: By emphasizing smart home technology in listings, agents can position these homes as future-proof, appealing to customers who value both functionality and innovation. Stellar MLS’s listing tools make it easy to add and emphasize these features, showing buyers that their new home will be equipped for modern living. 

 

5. Smaller, Community-Centric Homes 

While spacious homes remain popular, there’s also a growing trend of buyers seeking smaller, more manageable properties within close-knit communities. Rising costs and a desire for simpler living have led many buyers—especially younger ones—to prefer homes that feel more connected to their neighborhoods and local culture. 


Stellar Insight: Demand for homes in smaller communities is on the rise. Listings in suburban and community-oriented neighborhoods are seeing a surge of interest, as buyers seek homes that offer not only affordability but also a sense of belonging. 


Stellar MLS Tip: For agents, this is an opportunity to connect with buyers looking to put down roots in communities that feel authentic and welcoming. By leveraging Stellar MLS’s community insights and highlighting these neighborhood qualities, agents can appeal to buyers looking for more than just a house—they want a place to feel at home. 

 

Bringing It All Together 


In 2024, homebuyers are increasingly focused on homes that offer flexibility, sustainability, and a lifestyle that matches their values. With Stellar MLS’s market intelligence, agents can tap into these trends, transforming their listings into more than a set of features—they become stories that resonate with what customers want and need today. Stellar MLS is committed to providing agents with the insights they need to guide customers confidently, making each transaction a step toward fulfilling homeownership dreams. 


At Stellar MLS, we’re here to make sure that real estate professionals have the clarity and tools they need to meet their customers’ changing expectations in a market defined by constant evolution. Together, we’re helping people find not just houses, but places they can truly call home. 

 




Sources:


More News

Take Your Business to the Next Level

By Mackenzie Riley • August 28, 2025
As real estate business models continue to evolve, building your business by providing more robust customer value takes a collaborative and forward-thinking approach. As real estate professionals work to meet the needs of buyers and sellers embarking on the most important transaction of their life, Stellar MLS is doubling down in its commitment to arm its customers with an array of tools and insights. Leading the way in market innovation Consistently innovating to provide products that revolutionize real estate, Stellar MLS does not simply deliver information; it drills down to deliver insights, offering the most effective tools to help customers save time and increase efficiency. Products like TransactionDesk simplify day-to-day routines, reducing stress and freeing up valuable time for agents and brokers to focus on their customers and clients. Tools such as this are deeply embedded in our ecosystem to give brokers and agents a streamlined, secure and compliant way to manage every stage of every transaction. Helping brokers guide agents to success One of Stellar MLS’ Always Principles is that we succeed when brokers do. Rayse—one of our newest products—helps brokers empower their agents with features like Buyer Presentation, turning initial consultations into structured, high-impact experiences while outlining the agent’s role and value at each stage. At the same time, Client Portal tools provide comparisons and tour feedback, helping buyers stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Agents can also leverage Realist—a public records database that provides property and ownership data, market information, street and aerial maps, and market trends. This layered, behind-the-scenes data allows agents to give their customers a full picture, whether they’re evaluating a listing price or researching market opportunities. Providing trend analysis and local insights The Stellar Market Meter, our quarterly statistics report, provides an in-depth analysis of critical trends and developments in our coverage area and beyond—and an invaluable aid to busy agents. Economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg provides expert commentary and data-driven insights designed to assist in making informed decisions, anticipating future trends and understanding the market’s evolving landscape. Further, Stellar’s Matrix tool lets agents and brokers filter listings by specific criteria such as subdivisions, green fields and water views. This enhanced search experience empowers real estate professionals to build deeper connections with consumers, because it’s not just about finding a property, it’s about helping people discover the place they truly belong. A pathway to prosperity Stellar MLS is dedicated to being the Multiple Listing Service for real estate professionals who value clarity, stability and support. Our mantra, “We’re for You,” is at the core of our brand promise and our mission—the same promise of better, more local and more valuable insights that top agents deliver daily to their clients. That’s why we continue to invest in the resources that fuel your business by transforming complex market data into clear, usable insights. Join us in the mission to focus on what’s next and take your business to the next level by maximizing your value to your customers. Read more by Shayne at https://www.rismedia.com/bylines/shayne-fairley/ .

The Power of Connection: Fueling Agent Success

By Mackenzie Riley • August 28, 2025
In today’s real estate landscape, opportunity knows no boundaries. Teams are expanding, business is becoming more mobile than ever, and clients expect seamless service—regardless of location. Stellar MLS recognizes the need to empower its brokers and their agents to adapt to the pace of today’s market and continues to provide the resources they need to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Real estate professionals rely on market intel to make informed decisions and confidently guide clients through one of life’s biggest milestones. Whether it’s leveraged to analyze trends, expand business referrals to new territories or guide relocating customers, the ability to view comprehensive listing data across the country is a significant strategic advantage. Stellar MLS is committed not only to delivering powerful listing insights, but also to offering expansive market coverage. In line with this mission, Stellar MLS recently formed strategic partnerships with California Regional MLS and Bright MLS. Through these new partnerships among the three largest MLSs in the country, Stellar MLS customers now have access to listings across California and the Mid-Atlantic, directly within Matrix. No extra logins needed. This integration means agents and brokers have access to thousands of additional listings, without leaving Matrix, opening the door to broader and more integrated business opportunities. This collaboration comes at a pivotal time. Cross-country relocation is on the rise, driven by changing lifestyle preferences and work environments, and increasing interconnectivity. Clients—buyers or sellers—are no longer tethered to a single market; they’re exploring possibilities from east to west. Agents equipped with real-time, accurate data across geographies can stand out by delivering unmatched service and guidance. Still, access alone is not enough; it must be paired with efficiency and accuracy. Stellar MLS remains committed to ensuring that its customers thrive in an intuitive environment. Bringing the reciprocal MLS access partnerships into the Stellar MLS system means agents and brokers can research, plan and serve clients without juggling multiple platforms or logging into separate systems. That’s time saved and real value gained. And this is just the beginning. As we look to the future, Stellar MLS will continue building relationships and investing in data connectivity to meet the demands of an interconnected market. Our goal remains clear: to provide our customers with the tools, insights and access they need to compete and thrive, no matter where their business takes them. In a business defined by relationships, readiness and reach, knowledge and confidence are power. We believe that when agents are connected to the right data and market access, they will have the confidence and clarity to succeed. Read More by Merri Jo at https://www.rismedia.com/bylines/merri-jo-cowen/ .

Stellar MLS CEO Merri Jo Cowen to Step Down After Transformative Tenure; Longtime COO Named as Successor

By Mackenzie Riley • July 31, 2025
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (July 31, 2025) —After more than 15 years of visionary leadership, Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, announced she will step down from her role in Q1 2026. Her successor will be Stellar MLS’s current Chief Operations Officer, Shayne Fairley, who for nearly two decades has been an integral part of the leadership team at one of the nation’s largest and most influential multiple listing services. Widely recognized as a thought leader and trailblazer in the real estate industry, Cowen has led Stellar MLS since 2008, guiding it through a period of transformational growth and modernization. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its customer base to become the largest MLS in Florida and Puerto Rico. This growth strengthened shareholder relationships, launched international partnerships, and solidified Stellar MLS’s position as a national and global leader in data transparency and collaboration. Cowen played a pivotal role in the MLS’s rebranding in 2019 and helped elevate the visibility and value of the MLS during a time of industry change. “Serving as CEO of Stellar MLS has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Cowen. “I’m incredibly proud of what we have built—an MLS that delivers value, innovation, and integrity to real estate professionals and the consumers they serve. Now, I’m ready to step back, and Shayne is more than ready to step forward. I truly cannot imagine leaving what we’ve built in better hands. Shayne knows Stellar MLS inside and out, and I have complete trust in his leadership and absolute confidence that he’ll take this organization to the next level.” Fairley joined Stellar MLS in 2005 and has risen through the ranks across multiple departments, training customers and staff, guiding compliance, advancing data services, and advising on operations, to name a few. Since being named COO in 2017, he has led strategic operational growth, championed customer-focused initiatives, and worked with Cowen on the company’s efforts to elevate the MLS on a global scale. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Merri Jo for nearly 20 years and learned a tremendous amount by watching how she leads, both strategically and personally. She leads with vision and heart, and that blend of high-level leadership and genuine care is part of what makes Stellar successful and is something I intend to carry forward,” said Fairley. What’s Next: A Seamless Transition Stellar MLS’s leadership transition will take place over the coming months, with Cowen working closely with Fairley to ensure a smooth and seamless handoff. The official transition is expected to be completed by Q1 2026 and throughout this period, both leaders will continue to collaborate on strategic initiatives and ongoing projects. After the leadership transition, Cowen will serve in a strategic advisory role at Stellar MLS while also leading its subsidiary Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), which supports real estate professionals worldwide. Launched in 2024 with Cowen as CEO, UCO-Global provides expertise and customized solutions to advance MLS practices globally, with a focus on transparency, data integrity, and modernized market infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships with international organizations such as CEPI (the European Association of Real Estate Professions) and FIABCI (the International Real Estate Federation), and alongside dedicated global partners who share UCO-Global’s mission to empower real estate markets worldwide, UCO-Global has helped foster collaboration and trust across the real estate industry in Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. “Our priorities remain the same—delivering exceptional value to our customers, championing innovation, and helping shape the future of the real estate industry both at home and around the world,” said Fairley. About Stellar MLS Stellar MLS is the multiple listing service for real estate professionals who value clarity, stability, and support in a real estate market and industry defined by change. As the largest multiple listing service in the state of Florida and among the largest and most influential in the U.S., Stellar MLS serves over 84,000 customers and supports real estate agents and brokers across 21 REALTOR® associations in Central and Southwest Florida and Puerto Rico. Its extensive footprint allows Stellar MLS to deliver a broader suite of cutting-edge products and services, and more opportunities for customers to do business than almost any other MLS. Stellar MLS creates conditions within which real estate professionals can succeed, the housing market can thrive, and people who seek homeownership have every opportunity to achieve it.

Stellar MLS Announces Reciprocal MLS Access Collaboration with California Regional MLS (CRMLS) and Bright MLS

By Mackenzie Riley • July 8, 2025
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO) Expands Global Presence with Strategic Engagements in Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Accra

By Warner Ransone • June 30, 2025
UCO-Global, a Stellar MLS subsidiary, continues to support and provide guidance to international leaders in creating MLS-informed solutions rooted in transparency, collaboration, and trust

Your Competitive Advantage: How the Right MLS Training Sets You Apart

By Jillian Lugo • May 6, 2025
You’re at the starting gate. The crowd is buzzing. The sun is high, and your pulse races with anticipation. You’re not just here to run. You’re here to win. That’s what the right training does. It transforms potential into performance. And at Stellar MLS, we believe you deserve every advantage on the track to success. The Race Begins: Why Training Matters Now More Than Ever Real estate is an industry in constant motion. Markets shift. Technology advances. Consumers demand more. The agents who thrive are the ones who adapt, grow, and lead. Education is what sets them apart. Stellar MLS’s enhanced continuing education experience is designed to help you do exactly that. Not just to learn, but to grow into the most credible, confident, and capable version of yourself. What sets this training apart? It’s not just another class; it’s part of a best-in-class education program. Our training is consistently built with your evolving needs at the center, offering hands-on guidance that reflects the realities of today’s fast-moving market. Across the industry, Stellar’s approach to education stands out. With a foundation in practical tools, expert instruction, and a commitment to agent success, our training doesn’t just inform, it transforms. And that’s what makes it a true differentiator. Because you’re not here to be average. You’re here to lead. Introducing the OneHome Triple Crown Series To help you take the lead, we’ve launched a game-changing training series inspired by one of the most iconic competitions in racing history: the OneHome Triple Crown Series. This is a three-part training series focused on helping you sharpen your collaboration skills, streamline your tools, and stand out in your market. Complete all three courses by May 23, 2025, to earn the Triple Crown OneHome Winner Badge Automatic entry into a drawing to win a free one-year Stellar MLS subscription Each course is designed to help you master a different component of the OneHome ecosystem: Course 1: Staging Your Buyers' OneHome Experience Learn how to use the Agent Portal to manage multiple clients efficiently Customize listings using Agent Picks and Discards Track customer activity and keep them engaged Deliver a fully branded, professional experience from start to finish Course 2: Bringing Your Customer Home Guide your clients using OneHome’s interactive tools Help them compare listings, request tours, and provide feedback Offer powerful presentation materials that highlight your value Keep clients informed and confident every step of the way Course 3: Matrix, Prospects CRM, and OneHome Understand how all three tools work together seamlessly Automate follow-ups and manage your contacts with ease Get a 360-degree view of your client’s journey Build stronger relationships that last beyond the transaction Courses will be offered twice weekly throughout May, including convenient Wednesday evening sessions. You can take each course individually, but all three must be completed by May 23 to earn your badge and enter the drawing. Training Is Your Superpower This isn’t just about a badge. This is about elevating your career. In today’s market, your knowledge is your advantage. When customers trust your expertise, they naturally follow your lead. The right MLS training gives you the tools to: Position yourself as a local expert Respond to market shifts with agility and accuracy Offer personalized, tech-forward service Win trust and stand out from the crowd With every training you complete, you’re sharpening your edge. You’re showing to customers that you're not just participating in real estate, you're excelling. We’re For You At Stellar MLS, everything we do is designed around your success. Our promise is clear: We create conditions for you to thrive. From top-tier tools and data to world-class support and training, we’re not just a service provider. We’re your partner. Our job is to help you do your job better. And our education program is one more way we’re doing just that. You can count on us for clarity, confidence, and a culture of support. Ready to Claim Your Crown? This is your chance to invest in yourself, stand out in your market, and potentially win a full year of MLS service on us. To qualify: You must complete all three courses You cannot miss more than five minutes of any session All training must be completed by May 23, 2025 Note: Finishers will be automatically entered into the grand prize drawing for a one-year Stellar MLS subscription reimbursement for the 2025 billing season. Choose your course times, stay on pace, and cross the finish line strong. The Triple Crown badge, bragging rights, and your shot at a free year of service are all within reach. This is your run for the roses. We’ll see you at the winner’s circle! Learn more and register for the 2025 OneHome Triple Crown Series here .
Show More