:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-12298091111-07dae4c9ee1148c9b748e2aaaa5c0715.jpg "Want to Host for Thanksgiving? More than Half of House Hunters Prioritize Holiday Gatherings")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-12298091111-07dae4c9ee1148c9b748e2aaaa5c0715.jpg)
Key Takeaways
- More than half of Americans consider Thanksgiving hosting when searching for a home to buy, a survey from Realtor.com found.
- A big kitchen and a large family room were the top features sought by house hunters who hoped to host Thanksgiving festivities.
- Thanksgiving hosting was a bigger priority for younger generations, the survey found.
For many American homeowners, the Thanksgiving holiday means hosting family and friends for food and festivities—but only if you have enough space for it.
A new Realtor.com survey revealed that hosting holidays is a priority for the majority of house hunters.
For 52% of homeowners, Thanksgiving gatherings were on their minds when searching for a new home. Respondents to the Realtor.com survey sought space and amenities to facilitate hosting holidays and other gatherings.
“Even when Americans dream about their ideal entertaining setup, space still beats specialty: roomy gathering areas and functional layouts matter far more than extra appliances,” the report said.
Why This Matters for You
Holiday hosting needs are shaping homebuying decisions, influencing which features buyers value most. Understanding these preferences helps buyers and sellers navigate the real estate market.
And it was younger buyers who are putting more focus on hosting for the holidays, with 60% of Gen Z and an equal share of millennials, saying their home purchase was partly based on having enough room for Thanksgiving festivities. Only 47% of Gen X and 30% of Baby Boomers said hosting space was an important part of their home search.
Big Kitchen, Extra Bathroom Needed for Hosing
So what does a home need to have to host for the Thanksgiving holiday? Unsurprisingly, most said they needed the extra space for preparations and for hosting visiting family and friends.
“Whether Americans are ready to host or not, the right home features can tip the scales,” the report said. “When asked what would make them more willing to welcome guests, ample space topped the list.”
A big kitchen and a large family room were the most important home features for hosting Thanksgiving, according to 92% of respondents to the Realtor.com survey. Next was a guest bathroom, which 87% of respondents said was important for hosting Thanksgiving, while a large dining room was considered a necessity by 86%. A large outdoor space, a guest bedroom and a double oven were other key considerations.
There was also a divide among respondents to the survey about which was more important: an extra bedroom or an additional bathroom. An extra bathroom was preferred by 45% of survey respondents, while nearly an equal 44% preferred to have an extra bedroom.
