The Walton County Seller’s Cheat Sheet: 8 Features Buyers Are Actually Paying For

If you are planning to sell your home in 2026, you don't need to guess what buyers want. The data tells us exactly what they are looking for.

After analyzing over 1,200 successful sales in Walton County from the past year, we identified the specific features that appeared most often in sold listings. These aren't just "nice-to-haves"—these are the triggers that get offers signed.

Here is your cheat sheet to getting top dollar in this market.

1. Granite or Quartz Countertops

• The Stat: Mentioned in nearly 40% of all sold listing remarks.
  
  
• The Takeaway: Laminate is a deal-killer for today's buyer. If you do one upgrade before listing, this is it. Buyers equate stone counters with a "move-in ready" home.
  
  

2. Hardwood or LVP Flooring

• The Stat: Mentioned in 385 successful sales.
  
  
• The Takeaway: The days of wall-to-wall carpet are over. Buyers want hard surfaces in the main living areas. If you have carpet in the living room or dining room, replacing it with LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is a high-ROI move.
  
  

3. Privacy Fences

• The Stat: Explicitly highlighted in 349 sales.
  
  
• The Takeaway: In a post-2020 world, your backyard is considered an extra room. A fenced yard signals "privacy" and "pet-friendly" immediately. If you have a fence, make sure it’s the first thing mentioned in your listing description.
  
  

4. Kitchen-Level Parking

• The Stat: A specific selling point in 367 sales.
  
  
• The Takeaway: This is a uniquely Georgian demand. Buyers hate hauling groceries up a flight of stairs. If your garage opens right into your kitchen or main hallway, flaunt it. It’s a massive convenience factor that sets you apart from split-levels or basement-garage homes.
  
  

5. Stainless Steel Appliances

• The Stat: Cited in 331 listings.
  
  
• The Takeaway: You don't need a Sub-Zero fridge, but you do need matching stainless steel. Mismatched white or black appliances instantly date a kitchen 15 years.
  
  

6. Four-Sided Brick (or Brick Front)

• The Stat: Brick was the #1 construction material, found in 483 sales.
  
  
• The Takeaway: Walton County buyers love low maintenance. Vinyl siding sells fine, but brick commands a premium perception of quality and durability.
  
  

7. The "Cozy" Factor: Fireplaces

• The Stat: A feature in 509 sold homes.
  
  
• The Takeaway: Don't ignore the fireplace. Stage it properly. It remains a focal point for family buyers, especially in our market.
  
  

8. "Daylight" or Finished Basements

• The Stat: Featured in nearly 20% of transactions.
  
  
• The Takeaway: With home prices adjusting, buyers are looking for extra value per square foot. A finished basement—or even a clean, stubbed "Daylight" basement—offers the potential for expansion that buyers crave.
  
  

The Bottom Line You don't need to rebuild your entire house to sell it. You just need to align with what the market is asking for. If you have any of these 8 features, we need to highlight them aggressively. If you don't, we need to price strategically to overcome them.

Ready to see how your home stacks up? Contact us for a 15-minute "Pre-Listing Audit" of your property.