If you’re looking to sell your home, certain trendy outdoor features could significantly boost your sale price in today’s competitive market. According to recent research from Zillow, homes with specific outdoor amenities are fetching higher prices, offering a lucrative opportunity for sellers.
Outdoor TVs Lead the Way
At the top of the list is outdoor TVs. Homes equipped with these weatherproof entertainment systems can sell for up to 3.1% more than expected, translating to an average increase of $10,749. These outdoor TVs are designed to withstand the elements, including precipitation and extreme temperatures, and typically cost more than standard indoor sets. For sellers, this investment could pay off handsomely when it comes time to sell.
Other High-Value Backyard Features
Outdoor TVs aren’t the only backyard feature adding value. Zillow’s analysis of sale premiums for 359 features across one million home sales in 2023 revealed several other desirable outdoor upgrades:
- Outdoor Shower: Homes with this feature could see a price increase of 2.6%.
- Bluestone Patio: This elegant stonework is associated with a 2.3% rise in sale price.
- She Shed: A dedicated space for relaxation or hobbies could boost your home’s value by 2%.
- Pizza Oven: This trendy culinary addition might raise the sale price by 1.9%.
- Outdoor Kitchen: A fully equipped outdoor kitchen can add 1.7% to your home’s value.
“This year was really all about the backyard features,” says Amanda Pendleton, a home trends expert at Zillow. “It embodies this new lifestyle people want post-pandemic, where their social life is centered around their home, and specifically their yards.”
Buyers’ Preferences in Today’s Market
The trend toward outdoor living spaces isn’t just a fad. Recent research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that outdoor features like patios, exterior lighting, front porches, and landscaping are at the top of buyers’ wish lists. Additionally, features that add space, such as separate laundry rooms, walk-in pantries, and kitchen table areas, are also highly sought after by today’s buyers.
However, it’s important to note that while these features can add value, they shouldn’t necessarily be installed solely in the hope of a higher sale price. As Pendleton advises, “If you have these features already in your home, you want to make sure that you’re including them in your listing description. But I wouldn’t go out of my way to install these features and expect these kinds of sale premiums.”
The Changing Landscape of Homebuyer Preferences
Today’s buyers are increasingly focused on homes that are slightly smaller—around 2,070 square feet, down from the 2,260 square feet that buyers sought 20 years ago. They are also placing a higher emphasis on personalized features and technology for safety and energy efficiency. Popular tech features include security cameras, video doorbells, programmable thermostats, and multizone HVAC and energy management systems.
As a result of limited inventory in the existing home market, more buyers are turning to new construction, with 14% of home sales in 2023 being new homes—up from just 7% a decade ago.
Trendy Features That Speed Up Sales
Zillow’s research also highlighted home features that can help sell a home faster. Trending details like rounded corners and plant ledges have been linked to quicker sales, reducing the time a home stays on the market by 6.2 days and 5.6 days, respectively. These features are particularly appealing to younger, first-time buyers entering the market.
Other features that contribute to faster sales include frameless showers, terrazzo flooring, picket fences, modern farmhouse aesthetics, turf yards, fenced yards, Energy Star appliances, and saltwater pools. “We are seeing more competition for homes that have these trendier features,” Pendleton notes.
As today’s homebuyers place a higher value on lifestyle and outdoor living, incorporating trendy outdoor features can not only enhance your home’s appeal but also boost its sale price. Whether you already have these features or are considering upgrades, make sure to highlight them in your listing to maximize your home’s potential in the current market.