More Homeowners Factoring Holidays Into Home Buying: Survey

By Hollie Silverman

Deputy Weekend Editor

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More than half of Americans said that the ability to host Thanksgiving influenced their most recent home search, according to a survey from Realtor.com that was published earlier this week.

The findings highlight a generational divide with 60 percent of Gen Z and Millennials saying hosting Thanksgiving mattered when picking a home, compared to 47 percent of Gen X and just 30 percent of Baby Boomers.

Newsweek reached out to Realtor.com for further comment by email Saturday.

Why It Matters

This trend underscores a broader shift in the American real estate market as buyers increasingly look beyond basic amenities and consider how a home fits their lifestyle, especially around the holidays.

The changing landscape suggests not only a shift in what buyers want, but also in how homes are marketed and designed for the next generation of owners.

What To Know

The Realtor.com survey found that 52 percent of U.S. adults took into account the ability to host Thanksgiving dinner when searching for their most recent home. The survey was published on Wednesday but was conducted between October 17 and 19, included 1,000 American adults aged 18 to 65.

Ample space for entertaining, particularly during the holiday season, topped the list of home features Americans said would make them more willing to host.

A large family room and a big kitchen were tied as the top motivators, with 92 percent each, followed by a large dining room 86 percent, guest bathroom 87 percent, and large outdoor spaces 76 percent.

While 61 percent called a double oven a desirable feature, only 12 percent deemed it a must-have, underscoring that overall space and layout outweigh specialty appliances in driving willingness to host.

Post-holiday comfort and cleanup needs are also reflected in buyer preferences. With equal numbers favoring a spare bedroom 44 percent, versus an extra bathroom 45 percent, Americans are split on the best way to accommodate guests.

Gen Z was the only generation to prefer extra bathrooms, at 48 percent, over bedrooms at 39 percent. The survey also noted that preferences for the number of bathrooms rose with household size, with families of three or more preferring at least three bathrooms, particularly important during high-use periods such as the Thanksgiving weekend.

Industry experts highlighted additional advantages to buying homes during the holiday season. While the market is often less crowded in November and December, motivated sellers and flexible negotiations can benefit buyers, according to a report from Keller Home Loans that was published on Wednesday.

Purchasing in winter can also coincide with financial benefits such as year-end tax deductions and smoother financing processes due to lighter industry workloads.

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What People Are Saying

Nathan Zeder, real estate broker with Zeder Team in Miami, told Newsweek in a text Saturday: "People want somewhere that a large amount of people can gather together and feel comfortable without a doubt. Especially around the holidays!"

Mallory Micetich, spokesperson for Realtor.com, said in Wednesday's press release: “Thanksgiving has long been about bringing people together at home, but now it’s literally shaping the walls and spaces buyers want. A big kitchen or family room isn’t just a preference; it’s becoming a requirement for a new generation of hosts.”

What Happens Next?

The trend of factoring holiday hosting into homebuying decisions appears likely to continue, especially as Gen Z and Millennials grow their share of the housing market.

Meanwhile, builders, real estate agents, and sellers may increasingly market and design homes to meet the demand for larger kitchens, family rooms, and guest-friendly layouts.

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