- 36% of U.S. residents who plan to move within the next year say a clean home with high-end filtration systems for air, water, etc. is one of the most important features when it comes to their next home. That makes it the most common priority for house hunters, along with security systems, per a recent Redfin survey.
- The heavy wildfire smoke blanketing the Midwest and Northeast last week puts the survey results into perspective: Homebuyers want a place that protects their health amid climate-related disasters.
- Every generation ranks clean homes at or near the top of their priority lists, outranking luxury amenities like home theaters and tennis courts.
Clean indoor air has become one of the most important considerations for Americans preparing to buy or rent their next home.
According to a Redfin survey conducted by Ipsos, 36% of U.S. residents planning to move within the next year selected a clean home—one equipped with advanced air or water filtration—as one of their three most important features. Only home security systems ranked slightly higher at 38%, a statistically similar result.
The findings suggest that buyers are placing health, safety and resilience ahead of many traditional luxuries. Scenic views ranked third at 25%, followed by smart-home technology at 20% and backup power systems, such as generators or solar installations, at 19%.
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Healthy Homes Take Priority Over Luxury Features
Climate-resilient improvements were included among the top three priorities by 14% of prospective movers. Although that figure was lower than the share prioritizing clean homes, it still exceeded demand for several luxury amenities.
Only 10% selected an outdoor kitchen as a leading priority, while home theaters or media rooms attracted 7%. Pickleball and tennis courts ranked even lower at 4%.
These results indicate that many house hunters are more interested in homes that support their health and protect them during environmental emergencies than in properties designed primarily for entertainment.
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Wildfire Smoke Adds Urgency to Clean-Air Concerns
The growing demand for cleaner homes has become especially relevant as smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires recently spread across much of the eastern United States.
More than 100 million people across 18 states and Washington, D.C., were under air-quality alerts as of July 17. Parts of Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan recorded some of the country’s poorest air quality, while unhealthy conditions also affected New York and sections of New England.
Although the survey was completed before this latest wildfire-smoke event, its results point to a broader shift in homebuyer priorities. Advanced air and water filtration systems can help reduce exposure to smoke and other pollutants, while resilient features may provide added protection from extreme weather and other environmental risks.
Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather explained that clean indoor air may increasingly be viewed as an essential home feature rather than an optional upgrade. She also noted that some buyers could favor single-family homes, where outside air may enter through fewer shared spaces, while others may look for larger buildings that offer private indoor amenities during periods of hazardous outdoor air.
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Clean Homes Rank Highly Across Generations
Interest in healthy indoor environments extends across every generation, although younger buyers are especially likely to prioritize clean homes.
Among Gen Z respondents, 40% included a clean home among their top three priorities. Security systems were the only feature to rank higher, at 42%.
For millennials, clean homes and security systems tied at 37%. Backup power was selected by 20%, while 15% prioritized climate-resilient upgrades.
Among Gen X respondents, 25% selected clean homes, placing the feature behind security systems at 32%. Baby boomers showed somewhat different preferences: 47% prioritized views, 40% selected security systems and 35% chose clean homes.
Despite these generational differences, clean air and water filtration remained at or near the top of every group’s list, ranking ahead of amenities such as home theaters, swimming pools and sports courts.
| All | Gen Z | Millennial | Gen X | Baby boomer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate resilient upgrades/features | 14% | 11% | 15% | 18% | 14% |
| Smart-home technology and automation | 20% | 21% | 21% | 16% | 16% |
| Architectural significance or uniqueness | 11% | 8% | 13% | 12% | 11% |
| At-home fitness or wellness space | 13% | 14% | 13% | 16% | 9% |
| Wine cellar | 3% | 5% | 3% | 1% | – |
| Pickle ball or tennis court | 4% | 5% | 4% | 1% | 3% |
| Swimming pool | 14% | 14% | 14% | 23% | 5% |
| Electric vehicle charging station | 7% | 4% | 9% | 6% | 4% |
| Backup power generation (i.e. solar, generator) | 19% | 18% | 20% | 17% | 19% |
| Home theater or media room | 7% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 7% |
| Security system | 38% | 42% | 37% | 32% | 40% |
| Gated community | 15% | 16% | 15% | 12% | 17% |
| Layout for entertaining | 17% | 14% | 16% | 24% | 16% |
| Views | 25% | 17% | 25% | 22% | 47% |
| Pet-friendly features such as dog washing stations | 13% | 16% | 10% | 16% | 17% |
| Heated floors | 6% | 9% | 4% | 6% | 1% |
| Heated driveway | 5% | 7% | 4% | 5% | 6% |
| Proximity to golf courses, country clubs, tennis clubs, etc. | 4% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Whiskey room | 3% | 4% | 4% | 3% | – |
| Covered outdoor patio | 17% | 12% | 16% | 23% | 28% |
| Outdoor kitchen | 10% | 9% | 11% | 14% | 4% |
| Clean home – high end filtration for air, water, etc. | 36% | 40% | 37% | 25% | 35% |
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Methodology
The survey results in this report are from a Redfin survey conducted by Ipsos in May 2026 fielded to 4,000 U.S. residents. Roughly 1,000 respondents, who are planning to move within the next 12 months, responded to the question we focused on in this report. The results for this combined group of survey respondents have a credibility interval of +/-3.9 percentage points.
This report focuses on the question: When thinking about the next home you live in, what are the top 3 most important features/amenities for this home? Respondents could select 3 from 22 options; the full list of options is in the chart and table above.
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