What is the 'dream house' for buyers in northern Worcester County? It might surprise you.

Everyone's "dream house" is different: lifestyle, location, and price impact the buyer's ideal home, but there are features that most North Central Massachusetts home buyers have put at the top of the "must have" list.

Large primary bedrooms and inground pools are features of the past as home buyers' priorities shift. Single-level homes, large outdoor yards and patio spaces, and central air conditioning systems are the handful of features that buyers consider essential, according to area real estate agents.

Nancy Whitehouse-Bain, a Realtor for 31 years, said everyone wants a pool, but nobody wants to pay for it because the upkeep is so expensive. She said the outdoor living space and patios are now a must for home buyers.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid increase in the cost of living, and scorching summers have forced home buyers to look for homes away from the expensive city and suburban lifestyle and further into the North Central and Western parts of Massachusetts. Local realtor Jennifer Shenk said people move to the Gardner area searching for a modest home with a good-sized yard and affordability.

"A lot of people moved out here during COVID-19 because they could work from anywhere," she said. "People can get a bigger house for the same amount that they would pay rent of $4,000 a month in the Boston area."

Why ranch-style homes are selling fast

Single-leveled ranch-style homes have become popular in the past couple of years because they are ideal for multi-generational families. In the past 12 months, 44 ranch-style homes were sold in the Gardner area. On average, a ranch-style home is 1,375 square feet and costs between $365,000 to $645,000.

"If a home is around $380,000 or under, it's sold in seconds," Whitehouse-Bain said. "The sweet spot is usually around $400,000, but homes in Westminster are now sold at $500,000 or higher."

Shenk said many adult children are moving back in with their parents because the economy has made it difficult for young adults to live financially independent. She said people also bring their elderly parents and grandparents into their homes, so they need a home with multiple rooms and no stairs.

"I can always expect a lot of activity and interest when selling a ranch-style home," she said. "Single-leveled homes are the most appealing to a wide range of people."

Besides the ample outdoor space, home buyers also want a large living room or multi-purpose room. Whitehouse-Bain said many buyers want those rooms because they want multiple spaces for family activities.

How's the real estate market?

Inventory is still low, and the housing crisis that has hit the Commonwealth continues to give first-home buyers difficulties.

"Buying now is the time; all indications show that the market will continue as it is because we have such a housing shortage," Whitehouse-Bain said.

Still, both Whitehouse-Bain and Shenk said they advise people to stop waiting for a better interest rate or for the market to get "better," which might not happen, and buy. Whitehouse-Bain said sellers can get a good price for their homes right now.

"In 2020, people were tired of the housing market, but four years later, rates haven't gotten better, and inventory is still low, so don't wait," Shenk said. "I'm not saying it will always be this high but I think COVID-19 has permanently shifted our pricing up."