Zillow has released a new list of features that can help homes sell faster or for more money, many of which support facets of wellness design. These benefits are not just financial, but also physical and mental. Real estate professionals around the country have observed that outdoor features are still trending strongly with buyers, with six of the top 10 features that help homes sell for more being outdoor features. Outdoor kitchens, TVs, showers, pizza ovens, fenced yards, and saltwater pools are all in high demand and can enhance overall well-being.
Being outdoors and in contact with nature has been shown to enhance physical and mental health, making features like outdoor screens and outdoor televisions potentially wellness-enhancing. Socializing also plays a role in improving health by reducing feelings of loneliness, and features like pools and pizza ovens can enhance social interactions. Additionally, fenced yards and outdoor showers enhance safety, which is another important aspect of wellness design. According to Zillow, homes with certain outdoor features like pizza ovens, outdoor showers, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor TVs can sell for higher prices and faster than homes without these features.
Kitchens have always been known to sell homes, and it’s not surprising that some of their wellness-enhancing features can help homes sell faster as well. Features like beverage centers, separate coffee bars, and plant ledges in kitchens are becoming increasingly popular and can contribute to a home’s overall appeal. Zillow reported that quartz countertops can help homes sell for more, but soapstone countertops are currently trending for an even higher price premium. Certain kitchen-adjacent features, like separate coffee bars and undercounter refrigerators, are also starting to show up in listings as buyers prioritize wellness-enhancing amenities.
In addition to outdoor and kitchen features, other home features can also boost home sales. Rounded corners, popular in contemporary furniture design, are now trending in architecture as well and can help a home sell faster due to their aesthetic appeal and safety benefits. She sheds, which are special retreat spaces for women, have also been shown to help homes sell for more. These spaces provide women with a dedicated area to focus on their mental health needs and take a break from household tasks and caregiving responsibilities.
It’s important to note that simply adding a single feature does not guarantee a specific increase in home value or reduction in time on the market. As real estate professionals emphasize, correlation does not imply causation, and it’s essential to consider the broader context of the home and the preferences of potential buyers when incorporating wellness-enhancing features. Overall, the trend towards wellness design in real estate reflects a growing awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being in home environments.