Housing News

Top 20 Home Features That Help a Home Sell for Over the Asking Price

Sellers who want to fetch top dollar for their properties may want to incorporate nature-inspired design into their homes.

Natural materials, such as white oak floors and soapstone countertops, can increase a home’s sale price by as much as 3.5% more, according to a recent report from Zillow. That translates into an extra $12,500 on average for sellers. 

"Organic modernism is the new modern farmhouse," said Zillow's home trends expert Amanda Pendleton in a statement. "The contemporary look of homes today is characterized by natural stone, wood flooring and cabinetry, and textured walls. Buyers are seeking out and competing for homes with these raw but refined finishes, and that's pushing up sale prices." 

Forget flashy materials. Elements like soapstone have a natural patina that gets better with age.

Another feature that can command a premium are wet rooms.

“Imagine stepping into a spa-like bathroom after a long day and having all the space you need to stretch out. That’s the power of wet rooms,” said Katie Gutierrez, principal interior designer at Errez Design in Miami.

Outdoor living spaces, like kitchens and showers, are also popular with today’s buyers.

“Rinsing off after a swim in one of these beauties is so much more attractive than the thought of dripping all over the house,” said Gutierrez.

Buyers also are willing to pay more for renovated or remodeled homes with new appliances, according to the Zillow report.

If you have any of these features and plan to put your home on the market this spring, make sure they’re front and center in your listing.

Home equity loans, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance, may help you to afford renovations and home improvements. 

“[Choose] features that emotionally resonate with [buyers] and put them at ease,” said Gutierrez. “Nature-inspired interiors evoke serene thoughts of walking in the forest, soaking in rays on the beach, and swimming through the ocean.”

Which home features command the highest premiums?

These are the top 20 home features and keywords in listings that result in the highest home sale prices, according to Zillow.

1. Remodeled: 3.7 %
2. Soapstone: 3.5 %
3. Wet room: 3.3 %
4. White oak floor: 3.2 %
5. Teak: 3.1 %
6. Venetian plaster: 3.0 %
7. Outdoor shower: 2.8 %
8. Renovated: 2.7 %
9. New appliances: 2.7 %
10. Dock: 2.7 %
11. Quartz: 2.6 %
12. Herringbone floor: 2.6 %
13. Onyx: 2.3 %
14. Accessory dwelling unit: 2.2 %
15. Walnut cabinets:2.2 %
16. Outdoor kitchen: 2.2 %
17. Pot filler: 2.2 %
18. Bluestone patio: 2.2 %
19. Cork floor: 2.1 %
20. Ice machine: 2.0 %