Selling a home has become a lot more challenging than it was in the past. Inventory levels are climbing and are now 12.8% higher than they were one year ago, according to Realtor.com.
In addition, buyers are backing out of deals at a higher rate than they were a few years ago, when housing was hot.
The increased pressure to woo reluctant buyers means it is more crucial than ever to craft an attention-grabbing for-sale listing, as real estate website Zillow notes in its most recent Home Trends Report.
In a summary of the report, Zillow’s home trends expert Amanda Pendleton says:
“Listing descriptions are short, so every word counts. When we see a sharp increase in certain features being mentioned in listings on Zillow … it’s a clear signal that these details are capturing buyers’ attention right now and hint at what’s next in home design.”
Zillow looked at millions of listings on its website to identify the features that have seen the biggest gains in mentions inside for-sale listings over the past year.
Here are some home features that are heating up among trendsetters — and a handful that are cooling fast.
1. Color drenching
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: 149% increase
“Color drenching” has seen the biggest surge of any term in listing descriptions over the past 12 months. Color drenching indicates that a single color can be found on the walls, ceilings and trim in rooms.
Zillow says color drenching appeals to buyers who want “immersive, cohesive, and mood-driven spaces.”
Of course, it’s important to choose the right color if you decide to pursue this trend in a home you plan to sell. In another recent study, Zillow found that these colors are especially likely to appeal to a large swath of buyers:
- Kitchen: Olive green
- Bedroom: Navy blue
- Bathroom: Mid-tone brown
- Living room: Dark gray
2. Sustainability
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: Up to a 70% increase
Home shoppers worried about climate change are looking for homes with features that promote sustainability. Zillow says there have been “sharp increases” in the following terms appearing in listings:
- Zero-energy-ready homes (up 70%)
- Whole-home batteries (up 40%)
- Electric vehicle charging (up 25%)
Zillow says the term that has seen the biggest growth in listings — “zero-energy-ready homes” — refers to homes that use renewable-energy systems such as heat pumps and solar panels to offset most or all of a home’s annual energy consumption.
In addition, terms such as “sustainable” and “green” are appearing 21% more often in Zillow listings.
3. Climate resiliency
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: Up to a 64% increase
It’s likely climate change is a factor behind the increase in listings mentioning features that make homes more resilient to natural disasters. Things that are mentioned in listings more often now include flood protection (up 64%) and being elevated in relation to flooding (26%).
Fire safety features such as defensible space landscaping (up 36%) and fire protection systems (up 28%) also are appearing more often in listings. Defensible space landscaping is a wildfire safety practice, according to Zillow.
Zillow says its research has found that 86% of homebuyers say it is very important for a home to be climate-proof, and 44% feel that way about wildfire-resistant landscaping.
4. Reading nooks
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: 48% increase
Few things are as relaxing as curling up with a good book for many folks. Zillow says cozy reading nooks are now appearing more often in for-sale listings.
Some reading nooks can be found under a staircase, Zillow notes. Others are located beside a window or are part of a larger room.
Zillow says that the trend toward reading nooks mirrors the resurgence in the popularity of physical books. The company adds:
“We may also be seeing more demand for reading nooks because it serves as a dedicated wellness zone, away from the distractions of an open-concept living space.”
5. Self-care
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: Up to a 33% increase
Today’s real estate listings are increasingly likely to highlight the cozy features that make folks feel pampered.
Zillow says mentions of “wellness” are up 33%, with spa-inspired bathroom mentions jumping 22%. Other wellness features that might appear in for-sale listings include:
- Dedicated meditation zones
- Peaceful outdoor gardens
- Smart-cleaning technology
6. Sports
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: Up to a 25% increase
Pickleball’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Over the past 12 months, mentions of pickleball courts are up 25% in listings.
Other sports-related terms that are appearing more often are golf simulators (up 25%) and batting cages (up 18%).
The trend toward sports appears to be a break with the traditional rec rooms of the past, which were more likely to include “passive” activities such as billiards, pinball and movies. As Zillow notes: “A demand for more active skill building is changing things up.”
7. Special touches
Change in the share of for-sale listings mentioning this feature: Up to a 21% increase
The little touches that make a home feel special are getting their moment in the sun by appearing more often in for-sale listings.
These are the types of features that make a home feel more personalized. According to Zillow:
“These trends show up in popular interior design styles like the highly decorative and personal aesthetic of maximalism as well as the cozy, nature-inspired comfort of cottagecore.”
Features that are being mentioned more often include:
- Artisan craftsmanship (up 21%)
- Vintage accents (up 17%)
- A “touch of whimsy” (up 15%)
Trends that are dying out
While some home features are growing in popularity, others are on the way out, including the following concepts:
- Juice stations (down 19%)
- Marble sinks (down 15%)
- Man cave (down 10%)
- Barn doors (down 6%)
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