What buyers are looking for in a home has certainly changed in the last half century. Back then, the ultimate goal for people in their 20s was to realize the American dream and buy a home. Today, young buyers want that and more — central air, walk-in closets, garages . . . And things that used to be the norm, such as wallpaper and carpeting, are now the first things they remove when they move in. Today it’s all about fresh paint colors and hardwood floors.

I recently took an informal poll of more than 40 realtors in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire (both inside and outside of my company) to get a sense of what buyers are looking for. The consistency in the feedback was interesting. It is clear that many buyers look for the same things, and homeowners who may want to sell their home someday should take these into account before renovating.

Here are the top three:

An open floor plan

This was definitely the most desired renovation, and it was clear that buyers value it more than they did even five years ago. Many homes in New England, especially as you get closer to Boston, were built more than 40 years ago, when it was common to have several walls and separation between rooms. When buyers walk into these homes today, however, they immediately talk about which walls they would take down. The most popular one? The wall separating the kitchen and dining room. Buyers really like the idea of being able to entertain in these two rooms as one big space. I certainly agree.

Granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances

Buyers just love kitchens with these features. As realtors, we like mentioning them in the listing sheet description because we know they will attract buyers. In fact, this pairing is so important to buyers, that they often don’t pay as much attention to the quality of the cabinets or other features in the kitchen. This is not to say that everything else in the kitchen can be junk, but stainless steel and granite mesmerize.

Finished basements

When a home has a nicely finished basement, buyers get very excited. They see it as the informal living space for the family or the “mantown’’ for Dad to escape and watch sports. Finished basements also can become a great hangout for teens. When a home doesn’t have one, buyers look at the ceiling height and layout to determine the space’s potential. There is a strong return on investment here; it is obvious to us realtors that buyers appreciate this extra space and are willing to pay more for a home that has a finished basement.

There are many more things that appeal to home buyers, such as nice landscaping that increases curb appeal, good lighting, master bathrooms, tiled tub surrounds, and even small things like garbage disposals.

If you are planning renovations, however, make sure to keep the top three items in mind. Even offering two of the three can have a significant impact on your sale price.

Anthony Lamacchia is the broker and owner of Lamacchia Realty, which is based in Waltham. Send comments to Address@globe.com.