What Big Canoe Buyers Want in 2026 (And What They’re Avoiding)

Even in a market with more inventory, certain homes still attract immediate interest. The difference is rarely luck. It’s alignment with what buyers want right now.

The strongest demand categories

1) “Forever Home” buyers

  • craftsman style

  • 2-car garage

  • functional layout

  • updated systems that feel low-risk

2) “Getaway Cabin” buyers

  • cozy but not cramped

  • storage and usable space

  • charm that still feels livable

  • minimal maintenance surprises

3) $1M+ buyers

  • highly selective

  • drawn to privacy, design, views, and condition

  • less tolerant of obvious deferred maintenance

What is turning buyers off

  • maintenance uncertainty (roof age, wood windows, moisture, decks)

  • dated interiors without price acknowledgement

  • photos that don’t match reality

  • listings that feel complicated (access, clutter, odors, showing friction)

A simple way to think about it

Buyers are not only buying a home. They are buying the amount of work and risk they’re inheriting.

If you want your home to be one of the “high demand” listings, you either:

  • remove the risk, or

  • price the risk in honestly

➡️ Get the 2026 Big Canoe Seller Readiness Checklist by signing up HERE.