Wilmington Millennials Want These 5 Things in a Home

Wilmington millennials shopping for homes want outdoor living spaces, high-tech amenities and open floor plans.
The back courtyard of LaRue Urban Living, the modern living development in the South Front district.
The back courtyard of LaRue Urban Living, the modern living development in the South Front district.

Millennials have not only changed the real estate market with how they shop and purchase homes, but what they require in a Millennial home. This generation is doing away with some of the traditional home features and opting for high-tech homes with multifunctional spaces. It is a misconception these buyers only want urban spaces, as many are buying in suburban areas. But — this group does have a specific checklist.

Here are five things most millennials are looking for in a home today:

Modern Living Spaces

Millennials love a good fixer-upper, but modern living spaces are one of the most sought-after styles for this generation. Places like Andrea Arth’s LaRue Urban Living in walking distance to nightlife, entertainment, coffee and parks are a ringer for this age group. Wireless homes with smart appliances are high on the checklist, too. Be on the lookout for outlets with USB ports, wireless security systems, updated smart appliances and eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels and more in Millennial homes.

Open Floor Plans

This generation likes rooms with multipurpose functions and social gatherings in kitchens that sprawl into living and media rooms. Open floor plans are a must for most millennial home shoppers. Have a home without an open floor plan? At a minimum, it should have the possibility of being renovated into one.

Goodbye Formal Dining

In general, most millennials are not on the hunt for a formal dining space like their parents may have been 30 years ago. They prefer every space carry its weight with plenty of function. So, the dining room only used for Thanksgiving? No need for it.

Instead, millennials are willing to splurge on a larger kitchen that can accommodate everyday meals around a giant kitchen island or breakfast nook. In older homes with formal dining rooms, millennials like the possibility of transforming them into home offices. 

The Home Edit on Instagram shared this photo of a pantry organization job.
The Home Edit on Instagram shared this photo of a pantry organization job. Millennials are looking for smart, functional spaces even in parts of the home most do not see. (@TheHomeEdit on Instagram)

Thoughtful Hidden Spaces

As previously mentioned, millennials love for every bit of space in a home to work for them. So they consider thoughtful and functional hidden spaces like laundry rooms and pantries a must. Bathrooms should have plenty of aesthetically-pleasing storage. Laundry rooms with custom and artisanal shelving and clever storage are huge selling points.

Have you seen pantries on Instagram? They are a huge hit with millennials who want to be able to see all their food at one glance so they can fulfill the desire to live sustainably. 

A fire pit in the RiverLights community.
A fire pit in the RiverLights community. (FACEBOOK)

Outdoor Spaces

Finally, in Millennial homes outdoor spaces were the number selling point in 2020 and 2021 for obvious reasons. Interestingly, millennials were huge drivers of that. Decks and patios are wonderful, but pools, plenty of hardscaping, raised garden beds, screened-in porches, fire pits, outdoor kitchens and bars will strike a chord with this generation that wants to combine indoor and outdoor living seamlessly. 

Want to learn more about the Wilmington area or the local real estate scene? Check out more insights from Arth Real Estate Group or check out our thoughtful Neighborhood Guide.

Read more