2 min readToday’s real estate buyers aren't compromising on style. They want a beautiful space, but they also crave character. In fact, new insights suggest that homes with quirkier, more historic details are more desirable and have more “screen appeal” than modern but bland builds.
Zillow recently shared data with House Beautiful, highlighting the charming home features that buyers are loving the most. If your home already includes one of these details, it's a great market advantage. If not, don’t sweat it. These features are meant to evoke a lived-in charm, and rushing to add them might give your home less of a boost in the long run.
So, if you’re looking to secure your selling potential, consider highlighting at least one of these five features in your listing.
Exposed Beams
At the top of the list of factors that drive prospective buyers are exposed beams. Known to add a cozy, rustic, almost farmhouse feel, exposed wood is an attractive feature, channeling character and definition into homes. According to Zillow, exposed beams brought in a 20 percent daily boost in online traffic.
“Today’s shoppers are craving homes with personality,” Zillow’s home trends expert Amanda Pendleton says. “In a sea of cookie-cutter properties, that character helps a home stand out and drives more clicks, saves, and, ultimately, stronger buyer interest on Zillow.”
Victorian Designs
In keeping with the historic theme, Victorian-style homes are also seeing a boost in online interest—a 19.3 percent rise in daily traffic on Zillow, to be exact.
“Buyers are falling hard for homes with soul,” Pendleton says.
These designs, defined by turrets, bay windows, and high ceilings, evoke an air of grandeur rooted in the 1830s. They’re a stark contrast to the sleek glass panels and stainless steel of modern design.
Exposed Brick
Unfinished doesn’t necessarily mean unrefined. Exposed brick can appear in many places, from full walls to mantels. According to Zillow's data, this feature drove interest up by almost 15 percent, placing it in the top three details captivating buyers.
Incorporating the raw material into your designs adds an elevated level of texture and an aesthetic that can range from urban to cozy, depending on your personal style choices.
Open Shelving
Regardless of if you’re shopping around or reorganizing your current home, storage is always a top-of-mind feature, and the market trends confirm it. Open shelving is a popular choice among homebuyers and renovators alike, keeping storage solutions customizable, aesthetic, and functional all at once.
Treehouse Builds
Treehouses are a beloved backyard playtime feature that has evolved into a full home aesthetic. These homes now come with rich, wooden, slightly imperfect exteriors, porches, patios, and fully functioning kitchens.
Homes built to this style saw a 14.6 percent jump in daily clicks on Zillow’s platform. This trend is equal parts serene and, for many, nostalgic.
