Want to host a Thanksgiving feast? More than half of home hunters prioritize holiday gatherings

For many American homeowners, the Thanksgiving holiday means hosting family and friends for potlucks and celebrations, but only if you have enough space for it.

A new survey conducted by Realtor.com reveals that vacation hosting is a priority for the majority of home searchers.

For 52% of homeowners, Thanksgiving gatherings were on their minds when searching for a new home. Realtor.com survey respondents sought space and amenities to make it easier to host vacations and other gatherings.

“Even as Americans dream of their ideal entertainment setup, space still trumps specialty: spacious gathering areas and functional layouts are far more important than additional appliances,” the report said.

Younger buyers were more focused on hosting the holidays, with 60% of Gen Z and an equal share of Millennials saying their home purchase was based in part on having enough space for Thanksgiving celebrations. Only 47% of Generation X and 30% of Baby Boomers said hosting space was an important part of their home search.

Large kitchen and additional bathroom required for hoses

So what does a home need to host for the Thanksgiving holiday? Unsurprisingly, most say they need extra space for preparations and hosting visiting family and friends.

“Whether Americans are ready to host or not, the right home features could tip the scales,” the report said. “When asked what would make them most prepared to welcome guests, spaciousness was at the top of the list.”

A large kitchen and large family room were the most important features of a home for hosting Thanksgiving, according to 92% of Realtor.com survey respondents. Next came the 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, guest bedroom and double oven were other key considerations.

There was also a split among survey respondents about which was more important: an extra bedroom or an extra bathroom. 45% of survey participants preferred an additional bathroom, while approximately 44% preferred an additional bedroom.