How do you know what buyers actually want when you sell your home?
Most homeowners rely on guesswork, advice from family, or whatever the neighbour did. But if you want real insight, buyer search data from Domain and Realestate.com.au is one of the best places to start.
Domain’s latest September 2025 report breaks down the top trending search terms across Australia – and they’re very revealing.
But here’s the catch:
Just because buyers are searching for something doesn’t mean you should rush out and add it before you sell.
Some features add significant value. Others cause people to overcapitalise.
So in this post, I’m breaking down the Sydney data and sharing my recommendations on what to renovate – and what to skip.
#1 Granny Flat – Sydney’s top home buyer search term
For the first time ever, “granny flat” is now the top search term for what Sydney buyers want.
And it makes perfect sense:
- Cost of living is high
- Multigenerational living is rising
- Adult children are staying home longer
- Buyers want flexibility and rental income potential
The related term “dual” (dual living) also appears in the top 10. This can mean a separate dwelling or a split layout (upstairs/downstairs living, two kitchens, two living rooms, etc.)
Do granny flats add value?
In my research: not reliably.
There simply isn’t enough sales volume of homes with granny flats to make consistent, suburb-specific comparisons. When I do find them, the uplift is often marginal unless the main home is already beautifully renovated.
And that’s the key:
A new granny flat doesn’t fix an outdated main house – and buyers care far more about the home they’ll actually live in.
A real Marrickville case study
I ran multiple scenarios this year on a $2.68M Marrickville home:
- Add a granny flat only:
Likely valuation: ~$3M
Estimated cost: $350k
→ Result: Loss, because the main home was still dated. - Renovate the main house only:
Likely valuation: $3.3M
Cost: $275k
→ Result: $345k profit - Renovate + add a granny flat:
Valuation: $3.8M
Cost: $495k
→ Result: $495k profit - The highest profit scenario:
Extension + pool
Valuation: $4.1M+
→ Result: $520k+ profit
And the surprising part?
Adding a granny flat actually reduced buyer appeal for the highest-value scenario – because buyers wanting to extend and add a pool would need to demolish it.
So while granny flats sound great, they are not always the most profitable path.
So when should you add a granny flat?
- If you’re staying and need space for family
- If you want rental income
- If you’re creating dual living for lifestyle reasons
But if the goal is purely resale?
Save your money.
Low-cost alternative: Convert existing spaces
- Add a kitchenette to a second living room
- Convert a shed into a compliant studio
- Turn a garage into a workspace (where allowed)
These smaller tweaks often deliver the same buyer appeal without the massive cost.
#2 & 3 What Sydney Buyers Want: Waterfront / View
No shock here – ocean and harbour views are some of Sydney’s strongest value drivers.
While you can’t manufacture a view, you can enhance what you have:
- Trim landscaping to open sightlines
- Maximise window placement during renovations
- Position living/kitchen areas toward the view
- Avoid blocking views with tall joinery or oversized furniture
Bathrooms and garages should not claim the best outlook – buyers expect the views from living zones or bedrooms.
#4 What Sydney Buyers Want: Pool
Pools have dropped from #1 to #4 in Sydney, but remain top-ranked in other states.
This doesn’t mean buyers suddenly dislike pools – it just means other features (like income potential) have become more urgent.
Do pools add value?
Surprisingly: often no.
Across most suburbs, similar-sized homes sell for similar prices whether they have a pool or not. Buyer preferences split evenly:
- Some see pools as a must-have
- Others see them as costly + high-maintenance or a safety issue
It balances out.
If you already have a pool:
✔ Ensure safety fence + gate are compliant
✔ Repair tiles, coping, or pumps
✔ Do minor cosmetic updates (paint, pressure clean, landscaping)
If you don’t have one:
Don’t add one unless the suburb strongly rewards it.
In most areas, it’s a $70k–$150k spend with low ROI.
#5 What Sydney Buyers Want: Study
The work from home trend isn’t going anywhere.
But you don’t need a full extra room.
Simple ways to tick this box:
- Add a study nook in an unused corner
- Stage a secondary bedroom (or even just label on the floorplan) as a “Bed/Study”
- Close off a sunroom with doors (what we did in the Sandringham renovation)
- Stage a desk in a space that might be used as an office
Do studies add value?
They can – especially when comparable sales in your area include dedicated studies.
In my Sandringham project, adding a study (via converting a sunroom) became a major selling feature and contributed to a premium price.
#7 What Sydney Buyers Want: Art Deco / Character Features
Art Deco is starting to trend again – whether the home was built during this time period (1920s or 1930s) or using some of these features in your design (see: arches).
And in Melbourne, “Art Deco” is the #1 search term.
Do character features add value?
Absolutely.
Homes with original charm:
- Photograph better
- Stand out in listings
- Feel more “premium”
- Attract emotional buyers
- Often sell for more
The biggest mistake sellers make?
Renovating too modern and losing the charm.
Keep:
- Ceiling roses
- Cornices
- Timber skirtings
- Original door hardware
- Leadlight windows (if salvageable)
And let extensions nod to the original style – this seamless flow is what buyers love.
Other Terms to Note – Floor, Ground, Penthouse
These all relate to unit preferences:
- Ground floors: accessibility + courtyards
- Top floors / penthouses: privacy + views
- Middle floors: less desirable unless they have standout features
If you’re selling a unit, your strategy is all about emphasising your unique advantages (orientation, layout, study, renovation quality, storage, etc.)
Conclusion
You can see the full report and for other cities, here.
Domain’s spring search trends reveal a lot about what Sydney buyers are prioritising — but that doesn’t automatically mean these features are worth adding before selling.
The only way to know what will add value to your property is through hyper-local, property-specific market research and feasibilities.
That’s exactly what I do in my consultations and I’ll even run through every possible scenario like I did for the Marrickville property.
If you want clarity on the smartest renovation decisions for your home, you can book a consultation here.
Local market research specific to homes similar to yours is the ultimate key to unlocking what’s going to add the most value when selling – and what to skip.
I offer consultations that do exactly that. And in the Marrickville case, I will run through all the scenarios for your home including feasibilities, timelines, and profitability so you can make an educated decision on your home.
You can book a consultation here.
