What Buyers Really Want in 2025: The Evolving Buyer Wish List - October Market Update 2025

We get an amazing range of interesting requests from buyers. Some want an internal laundry; others want 4 car garage with a turntable. Some want a large balcony, others want 6 bedrooms, gym, sauna and walk to beach. Some want privacy, double brick and soundproof media room, while others just want a backyard for the kids.

Recent research by Domain in Spring 2025 has highlighted the most requested keywords that buyers type into the search field and shows buyers are looking for homes that strike the perfect balance of lifestyle, practicality, and value.

This month, we compare Domain’s research to our own Propertybuyer database of requests and find some striking results. We discover that today’s buyers are far savvier and more intentional. They want homes that combine lifestyle, functionality, and future-proofing. Places that are comfortable to live in now and smart to own for the long term.

Sydney: From Pools to Practical Living

This spring, Sydney buyers are all about practical living. Granny flats are topping searches, perfect for rental income, multigenerational living, or flexible space, according to Domain. While lifestyle features still matter, priorities are shifting in response to cost-of-living pressures on the family budget.

Waterfronts and stunning views remain popular, but pools have slipped to fourth place. Art deco homes are enjoying a stylish comeback, and home offices are still valued, even if they’re no longer the main attraction.

The figure above captures a 2025 Sydney buyer’s dream: a sparkling backyard pool with ocean views, a granny flat for guests or extra income, plenty of space to entertain outdoors, a modern, stylish home, all tucked into a quiet neighbourhood just a hop from the shops.

Melbourne: Character Takes the Lead

Melbourne buyers are leaning into heritage and design according to Domain. Art deco tops searches, overtaking pools, while heritage homes have jumped in popularity, reflecting a love of period charm and distinctive style. Warehouse-style properties remain popular, and garages hold steady as practical must-haves. It’s clear Melbournians want homes with personality that fit their life.

Brisbane: Pools, Views and the Return of the City

Brisbane’s market is all about lifestyle. Pools, waterfronts, and stunning views top the dream list, perfectly suited to the city’s sunny, outdoor-loving culture. But it’s not just about the wow factor; demand for dual living and granny flats are rising, offering flexible spaces for multigenerational households, while city living is making a comeback, showing buyers also crave convenience and connection.

Adelaide: Lifestyle and Quality in Focus

Adelaide buyers are putting lifestyle and quality front and centre. Pools and views remain highly sought after, while new homes offer the convenience of turnkey living. Interest stretches across metro and regional areas, and the popularity of granny flats and stamp duty incentives shows buyers are thinking practically, balancing lifestyle with affordability.

2025 Buyer Searches: Domain vs Propertybuyer

Domain - 2025 Buyer Top Keyword Searches

Source: Domain 2025- This spring’s housing buzz Top keywords, homes & hotspots

Propertybuyer - 2025 Buyer Top Keyword Searches

Source: Propertybuyer 2025

Looking at the charts, it’s clear that what people dream about online isn’t always what they end up buying in real life. Domain searches capture the aspirational side, pools, waterfronts, and heritage homes that make you pause and imagine life in that space.

Propertybuyer keyword enquiries tell a slightly different story. They highlight the homes people are buying for, practical, flexible spaces that fit everyday life, like granny flats, home offices, quiet streets, or being close to schools. It’s where lifestyle meets reality.

Our own experience at Propertybuyer shows a broader set of priorities coming through in client enquiries, including:

• EV Chargers & Solar Power – As more Australians adopt EVs and look to cut energy bills, buyers are asking whether a home has charging points, rooftop solar, or the potential to add them.

• Granny Flats & Dual Living – Still a top priority, offering flexibility for income, family, or future needs.

• North Facing Aspect – Orientation matters, with buyers seeking light-filled living and passive solar benefits.

• Backyards & Outdoor Entertainment – Our clients love space to entertain friends, host a BBQ, grow a garden, or let the kids play.

• Wellness Features – Saunas, home gyms, ice baths, and even spa zones are creeping up the list for higher-end buyers.

• Pools – This classic request remains, but with more buyers weighing them against ongoing maintenance costs.

• Privacy & Security – Crime scores, quiet streets, and secure entry are increasingly mentioned, especially in family and downsizer briefs.

• Walkability – Access to cafes, schools, parks, and transport is a consistent driver, especially in inner-city and lifestyle suburbs.

I think the simplest way to characterise our home buyers is “practical dreamers”. They still love the aspirational features that make a house feel special, but their decisions are anchored in comfort, efficiency, and value.

At Propertybuyer, we help turn those dreams and ideas into actual opportunities, connecting buyers with homes they’ll love living in, not just scrolling past online.

If you’d like expert help finding, evaluating and negotiating your first property, and having a professional buyers advocate by your side, then reach out for a friendly chat with our team at Propertybuyer today.

Call 1300 655 615 or make your enquiry here.

Rich Harvey CEO & Founder | Propertybuyer

Australia’s Most Awarded Buyers’ Advocates

www.propertybuyer.com.au

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