Homebuyers dealing with rising mortgage rates and home prices are hunting for particular trending features that take their decision to purchase a house from a “maybe” to a “yes,” according a recent report from Zillow. While some seem obvious, like an outdoor pizza oven or an outdoor kitchen, others indicate an increased desire for contemporary style and maximum comfort.
“When certain home features or design styles are highlighted in a listing description, they serve as a signal to a buyer that a home is appealing and up-to-date. As a result, those features can help a home sell faster and for more money,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow home trends expert.
“On the flip side, certain features can suggest a home is dated and needs work and can lower a home’s sale price. Features like laminate or tile countertops can hurt a home’s value by at least 1% when mentioned in a listing description.”
From backyard indulgences to viral features like plant ledges and rounded corners, here's what you should call out in your listing to sell your home faster, for more money.
ANTHONY MASTERSON
Top Outdoor Features to List
A backyard with all the bells and whistles can add as much as $10,000 to a home's selling price, Zillow's report says. Six of the top 10 items that increase a home's value are exterior features, with an outdoor TV bringing the highest premium of 3.1%.
An outdoor shower can add as much as 2.6%, but you shouldn't rush to install one. Zillow found that the shower is coveted as much for what goes along with it—a pool or beach access—as it is for being functional.
But it's not just about the luxuries: Buyers also want nothing more than a picket fence, which can shave 3.2 days from your selling window. Perhaps that’s because this classic feature is the most charming and timeless way of saying, “Welcome home.”
ELLIE LILLSTROM
Top Indoor Features to List
Home decor trends for 2024 point to a need for comfort and familiarity: Grandma’s hand-me-downs and a shift from open floor plans to defined rooms represent just two ways we're longing for welcoming and enveloping spaces. So it makes sense for buyers to gravitate toward cozy rounded edges—whether it’s a kitchen countertop or arched entryway, the softness of curves can sell a home 6.2 days faster than a squared-off style.
Soapstone countertops can help increase your home's selling price by 3%, and matte black fixtures, cabinets, and other decor raises the dollar amount by 2.9%. Both indicate a contemporary home that's been recently remodeled and has an updated look. Buyers are also in search of terrazzo, whether on floors or countertops; the trendy material can cut 3.7 days off your selling time.
As for entertaining, ditch the wine fridge and opt for a beverage center to keep more than just pinots and chardonnays chilled—that way, you can include an ice-cold beer or soft drink on the menu.