The home selling and buying process is far more complex than a single listing might let on. Everything from your home’s smell during open houses to the paint colors to the home tour photos can make a significant difference in how quickly it sells—and for how much.

While every buyer will be seeking something a little different, there are some general trends in what makes a house feel like a home—especially to potential buyers. According to new Zillow research that involved data from 1.98 million homes listed and sold in 2022, there are a handful of features that help a listing stand out from the crowd.

To land at their list of the qualities found in recent “hot homes,” the Zillow team compared a home’s final sale price with the pre-listing “Zestimate,” or how much it was expected to sell for, and its time on the market. Then they searched for if the listing included or did not include a mention of 271 features, such as a fenced-in backyard or wine cellar.

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After crunching the numbers, in terms of sale price, it’s all about the kitchen. Buyers are seeking chef-friendly features that will help them channel their favorite Food Network star, such as professional-grade appliances, steam ovens and pizza ovens. A steam oven alone correlated with a 5.3 percent higher sale price than homes without; that translates to a $17,400 jump. Trendy materials like terrazzo, quartz and soapstone also tend to help a home sell at a premium, if they’re touted in a listing description.

Homes fly off the market faster, and usually have more competition among buyers, if they showcase practical details, like a gas furnace or a walkable neighborhood. A doorbell camera might seem like a minor detail, but it makes a major difference. Homes with this smart home element sold, on average, five days faster than homes without.

Listings promoting personalized, hobby-focused features, such as a “she shed,” wine cellar or backyard putting green will find their buyers—and at a 1.2 to 2.5 percent higher price—but usually stay on the market for a bit longer (5 extra days or so).

If you’re a homeowner looking to optimize your sale price or inspire home-seekers to snap it up faster, the Zillow pros suggest mentioning details that offer a “wow” factor, a nod to luxury or a key differentiator from other similar homes. Think: Saltwater pools and outdoor kitchens.

On the flip side, certain features that seem dated can cause a home’s sale price to dip. So what’s considered “out”? Laminate flooring and tile countertops.

The Top 10 Features That Increase Home Sale Price

  1. Steam oven: + 5.3 percent
  2. Pizza oven: + 3.7 percent
  3. Professional appliances: + 3.6 percent
  4. Terrazzo: + 2.6 percent
  5. She shed: + 2.5 percent
  6. Soapstone: + 2.5 percent
  7. Quartz: + 2.4 percent
  8. Modern farmhouse: + 2.4 percent
  9. Hurricane or storm shutters: + 2.3 percent
  10. Mid-century: + 2.3 percent

The Top 10 Features That Increase Home Sale Speed

  1. Doorbell camera: 5.1 days faster
  2. Soapstone: 3.8 days faster
  3. Open shelving: 3.5 days faster
  4. Heat pump: 3 days faster
  5. Fenced backyard: 2.9 days faster
  6. Mid-century: 2.8 days faster
  7. Hardwood: 2.4 days faster
  8. Walkable: 2.4 days faster
  9. Shiplap: 2.3 days faster
  10. Gas furnace: 2.3 days faster

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