Homeowners are sometimes hesitant to upgrade when it's time to sell. After all, you won't be living there much longer, and home remodeling efforts only increase home values by 66.1% of the average project's costs, according to Remodeling magazine's 2014 Cost vs. Value report.

But think again, sellers. The cost of inaction can be far greater than the small loss you'll incur on any home-improvement projects. "It can mean the difference between getting multiple bids at once and driving up the selling price or getting no offers," says Brian Lewis, a real estate broker with Halstead Property, a New York-based realty firm. As your house lingers on the market, you'll likely pay ongoing mortgage, maintenance and staging costs.

We've already highlighted several household features home buyers hate, including popcorn-finished ceilings, brass fixtures and vanity strip bathroom lighting. Now, consider what buyers want to see -- and what it will take to add such features to your home. Take a look at 7 popular features that will help your home sell faster.

Separate Laundry Room

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 93%

Cost to renovate: $2,637 - $3,077 for an 80-square-foot space

Fifty-seven percent of home buyers say they wouldn't buy a home without a laundry area. "Having a separate room [to use for things such as folding or ironing clothes] helps to keep the mess out of your living space . . . Potential buyers will see it as a huge benefit," says Paul Sullivan, founder and president of the Sullivan Company, a Newton, Mass., remodeling and custom-building firm. The laundry room in this Charlotte, N.C., home has a space large enough for a full-size washer and dryer, storage space for folded clothes and laundry supplies, additional electrical outlets, and a sink.

The estimated cost is for a laundry room renovation and includes replacing existing cabinetry, countertops, the sink and flooring, painting the walls, and updating the plumbing and lighting fixtures.

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Exterior Lighting

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 90%

Cost to install: $150 to $250 per fixture

Homes with exterior lighting help grab potential buyers' attention before they even set foot in the front door. In fact, exterior lighting is the most-wanted outdoor feature, according to NAHB. "Exterior lighting -- specifically, wall lanterns and landscape lights for accent plus above ground spotlights aimed at the front wall -- make an attractive first impression and enhance curb appeal after dark," says Neil Parsons, owner of Design Build Pros, a Toms River, N.J., remodeling firm.

The exterior lighting set-up at this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom Cave Creek, Ariz., home illuminates the front walkway, with recessed lighting fixtures along the front porch.

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Energy Star-Qualified Windows

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 89%

Cost (including installation): $270 - $800 per window

Swapping out your old windows for new fuel-efficient versions (similar to the window replacement done to this Lawrenceville, Ga., home) will help your home stand out to buyers looking to cut down on utility costs.

Energy Star-qualified windows, which can help reduce energy bills by up to 15%, come equipped with an invisible glass coating, vacuum-sealed spaces filled with inert gas between panes, sturdier weather stripping, and improved framing materials -- all of which reduce undesirable heat gain and loss in the home. "Buyers are most impressed with smart, energy-efficient choices that in no way limit their comfort, but in every way save them money in the long run," Lewis says.

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Garage Storage Space

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 86%

Cost to install: $2,025 - $2,363 for a 380-square-foot space

Buyers with growing families are going to need lots of storage space. "A seller should ensure that such bonus space is easily accessible and wonderfully organized," Lewis says. Additional storage units located in the garage (similar to this Wilsonville, Ore., home) help to keep clutter out of the main living areas of the home. Unlike an attic or backyard shed, the garage is accessible -- generally just a few steps away from the front door, making it easier to transport items such as tools or patio chairs or boxes of toys to and from other parts of your house.

The installation cost includes adding cabinetry, a peg wallboard for tools and improved lighting and electrical circuits.

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Eat-In Kitchens

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%

Cost to install: $1,000+

Eat-in kitchens are a must-have for many home buyers, especially families with children. "[It] adds soul to a home," Lewis says. It's a space where families often congregate in the morning for breakfast before the kids head off to school or parents to work. Or in the evening for dinner so everyone can share highlights from their day.

If you're looking to maximize space by knocking out a wall to allow for a small table and chairs in your kitchen (similar to the recently remodeled Salt Lake City home shown here), you should first determine whether the wall is structural or load bearing, Parsons says. Another concern is the possibility of mechanicals in the wall, such as plumbing, duct work and electrical wiring, that may need to be removed, he adds. Lastly, once an interior wall has come down, the flooring material that surrounds the drywall and base molding will need to be patched up. Removing a wall is relatively inexpensive, but that price can quickly escalate if there's additional repair work that needs to be done, Parsons warns.

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Walk-In Kitchen Pantry

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%

Cost to install: Varies depending on design and location

Additional storage space in the kitchen is a big plus for potential home-buyers. Walk-in pantries that have built-in organization systems to stash food and food-prep items out of sight help make an already-tight space feel less cluttered. "The key is [having] strong adjustable shelving that allows people to change things around as their needs change," Sullivan says. It's a bonus if your pantry also allows you to neatly tuck away mops and brooms, he adds.

The walk-in kitchen pantry in this Hoover, Ala., home has several built-in shelving units, counter space for small appliances and storage hooks for mops and brooms.

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Wireless Home Security System

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 50%

Cost to install: $100 - $300

It's the digital age, and tech-savvy buyers are looking for places to call home that have lots of modern conveniences. Wireless home security systems rank the highest among technology features buyers would like to have most, according to NAHB. Systems that can be easily controlled by a tablet or smart phone app are especially attractive to buyers, Parsons adds.

Installing a wireless home security system is less expensive than a hard-wired version and doesn't require professional assistance to install.

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo featured here is located in Washington, D.C.'s trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood and comes with a wireless alarm system.

Andrea N. Browne is an editor at Kiplinger's.