Research shows certain keywords making reference to homes’ features, amenities and style styles impact their selling price and time on the market. Ever ask yourself why some homes sell for a premium yet others don’t? While timing definitely plays a significant part, it also appears that mentioning certain home features in the listing description can yield quite the premium- both in how quickly the home sells, and for how much.
“When it comes to real estate listing descriptions, words matter,” says Svenja Gudell, Zillow chief economist. “Your listing description is an opportunity to highlight specific details and finishes that might not be visible in photos. Craftsman-style homes and amenities resonate incredibly well with today’s buyers – so if you’ve got them, flaunt them!”
Zillow Digs analyzed listing descriptions from over 2 million homes sold nationwide to discover how certain keywords making reference to home features, amenities and design styles impacted their selling price. This report is a result of an analysis in the New York Times best-seller, “Zillow Talk: Rewriting the Rules of Real Estate,” which looks at how certain listing descriptors like ‘unique’ or ‘captivating’ could affect final sale prices.
Curious what other home amenities made the list?
See below for the 5 top keywords.
Barn doors
Homes mentioning “barn door” in their listing description sold for a hefty premium – 13.4 % more than expected and 57 days faster. These rustic sliding doors are often found in modern craftsman-style homes, and are suited for bedroom closets and kitchen pantries, among others.
Listings touting “Shaker cabinets” sold for 9.6 % above expected and 45 days faster.
Homes boasting these trendy yet functional kitchen sinks can fetch nearly an 8% sales premium.
From kitchen backslashes to showers, subway tiles are a beautiful and classic design feature that are certain to catch a buyer’s eye. Homes mentioning subway tiles in their listings sold for almost 7 % more than expected and 63 days faster.
Usually found on bathroom or kitchen countertops, listings with the word “quartz” saw a 6% sales premium. However, homes with “granite” only saw a 4% increase in selling price.