What Are Amenities?

Amenities are desirable or useful features that add to the appeal of a home in the eyes of its tenants or buyers. The root of the word amenity is the Latin amoenus, which translates to “pleasant.” 

Amenities are often added as selling points to apartment complexes and condo buildings, and are meant as a way to sweeten the deal and entice a new tenant to move in. Communities that offer a plethora of amenities are seen as more luxury, and can typically demand a higher monthly rent of its residents.

Apartment Amenities

The most common types of housing that include a long list of available amenities are apartments. In crowded cities with many apartment complexes to choose from, property owners can differentiate themselves from their competition with unique amenities, like climbing walls or pet bathing stations.

Examples of Community Amenities

Features presented as amenities are typically determined by the community’s location and its marketing team. An attractive amenity in an urban area, such as a parking structure, may not be all that impressive in a rural area that already has ample parking.

Community amenities are typically open to all residents on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some popular community amenities include:

• Swimming pools
• Covered parking
• Nearby parks
• Pet areas
• Secure mail and package drop-off
• Bike storage
• Basketball or tennis courts
• Elevators

Examples of In-Unit Amenities

As opposed to communal amenities, in-unit amenities are intended only for the residents of a given rental unit. With more people working remotely and using their home for a myriad of purposes, having reliable and high-quality amenities in their home can be a huge selling point.

Some popular in-unit amenities include:

• High speed internet
• In-unit washers and dryers
• Updated kitchen appliances
• Soundproof walls and windows
• Smart home features
• Security features
• Home offices

House Amenities

Even though apartment buildings are the kings of the real estate amenity game, single-family homes are no slouch either. While most houses don’t feature their own pickleball court, homeowners can upgrade their property with any number of amenities that may be attractive to tenants or homebuyers.

Examples of Single-Family Home Amenities

Anything that makes a home stand out can be considered an amenity, such as a garage, yard, or high-quality flooring. 

Some popular single-family home amenities include:

• A large kitchen
• Open floor plans
• Nice landscaping
• Gated community
• Built-in vanities
• Walk-in closets
• Energy-efficient appliances and windows