What Ohio Buyers Are Searching For: Smart Home & Energy-Efficient Features in 2026

By Amy Warren, Ohio REALTOR®

Every week I check what buyers and sellers are actually searching for, not just what feels trendy. Right now, one theme keeps showing up alongside mortgage rates and down payment questions: smart home technology and energy efficiency. Buyers aren't just asking "how many bedrooms," they're asking whether a home has a smart thermostat, whether it's set up for an EV charger, and how much the utility bills actually run. Here's what's driving those searches and what it means whether you're buying or selling in Ohio this year.

Energy Efficiency Has Become a Real Buying Factor

Rising utility costs have made energy efficiency less of a nice-to-have and more of a bottom-line question for buyers. National buyer surveys from groups like the National Association of Home Builders consistently show strong interest in ENERGY STAR-rated windows and appliances, whole-home energy ratings, and above-code insulation, with many buyers saying they're willing to pay more upfront for a home that costs less to run. In Ohio, where winter heating costs are a real line item, this shows up in buyer questions about furnace age, window condition, and insulation just as often as questions about square footage.

Smart Thermostats and Security Are Now Expected, Not Extra

A few years ago, a smart thermostat or video doorbell was a selling point. Now it's closer to an expectation in a lot of price ranges. Buyers are used to app-controlled locks, motion sensors, and video doorbells from renting or from previous homes, and they notice when a listing doesn't mention any of it. None of these are expensive additions, and they're often the easiest, lowest-cost way for a seller to make a home feel current in photos and showings.

EV Chargers Are the Newest Feature on Buyer Wish Lists

This one is still emerging in Ohio compared to markets with higher EV adoption, but it's showing up more in buyer searches, especially paired with solar. A dedicated EV charging setup isn't a must-have yet in most Central Ohio neighborhoods, but it's worth knowing about if you're selling a home that already has the electrical capacity to support one. It can be a differentiator in the right price point and neighborhood, even if it's not something every buyer is asking for yet.

What This Means If You're Selling

You don't need to renovate your whole house to compete on this front. A programmable or smart thermostat, a video doorbell, and being able to speak clearly about your home's insulation, window age, and average utility costs can go a long way in how buyers perceive the home during a showing. If you've already made energy-efficient upgrades, like newer windows, added insulation, or a high-efficiency furnace, make sure that information is front and center in your listing instead of buried in disclosures. Buyers researching this online want to see it addressed, not discovered later. For more on positioning your home well this season, see my post on getting top dollar for your Ohio home this summer.

What This Means If You're Buying

Don't assume a home lacking smart features is a red flag; it just may not have been updated yet, and that can be a point of negotiation rather than a dealbreaker. On the flip side, ask sellers directly about utility costs, furnace and window age, and insulation, since these details affect your real monthly cost of ownership beyond the mortgage payment. If EV charging matters to you, ask about the home's electrical panel capacity early, since upgrading it later can be a meaningful expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do smart home features actually increase a home's value?

They can, though the effect varies by feature and market. Buyers consistently say they will pay more for energy-efficient homes, and features like smart thermostats and video doorbells have become expected rather than optional in many price ranges. The bigger impact is often on how fast a home sells and how it compares to competing listings, not necessarily a large price bump on its own.

What smart home features do buyers want most in 2026?

The most requested features include smart thermostats, video doorbells and app-controlled locks, energy monitoring tools, and increasingly, EV charging setups. Energy-efficient windows, appliances, and insulation also rank high on buyer wish lists.

Is it worth installing an EV charger before selling my Ohio home?

It depends on your buyer pool and budget. EV chargers are becoming a sought-after feature, especially paired with solar, but they are not yet a universal expectation in most Ohio markets. If you already have the electrical capacity, it can be a relatively low-cost way to stand out. If it requires a panel upgrade, weigh the cost against how much it's likely to matter to buyers in your specific neighborhood.

Do I need to disclose smart home devices when selling in Ohio?

You should clearly note which smart devices convey with the sale and which do not, similar to how you would handle any other personal property or fixture. Some smart devices are tied to a seller's personal account or app and may need to be reset or transferred, so it's worth sorting this out before closing.

Thinking About Which Upgrades Are Worth It?

Whether you're deciding what to add before listing or what to ask about before making an offer, I'm happy to walk through it with you. Send me a note at [email protected].

Amy Warren is a licensed Ohio REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers across Plain City, Dublin, Powell, and Central Ohio. She started her real estate career in 2016 as a Transaction Coordinator in Denver, where she helped close over 650 transactions before relocating to Central Ohio in 2022 and earning her Ohio license in 2025. Visit amywarrenohiorealtor.com

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