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Organic modernism goes mainstream: Nature-inspired design helps homes sell for $12,500 more
New Zillow research identifies the serene and sophisticated finishes that boost a home's sale price Homes sell for more when they have soapstone countertops
About this update from Zillow Group, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"New Zillow research identifies the serene and sophisticated finishes that boost a home's sale price\nHomes sell for more when they have soapstone countertops (3.5% sale premium), white oak floors (3.2%) and Venetian plaster walls (3.0%). Buyers pay more for functional outdoor features, such as an outdoor shower (2.8%), outdoor kitchen (2.2%) and bluestone patio (2.2%). Sellers can boost their sale price even more by maximizing exposure and choosing the best time to sell.SEATTLE, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's home buyers are willing to pay more for homes with bold, nature-inspired design choices. New Zillow® research finds that homes with statement finishes and natural materials such as soapstone and onyx, herringbone-patterned and cork floors, and Venetian plaster walls sell for as much as 3.5% more than expected. That's an additional $12,500 on a typical U.S. home. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n\"Organic modernism is the new modern farmhouse,\" said Zillow's home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. \"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.\" \nThese new materials are boosting resale values more than old favorites. Soapstone outperforms quartz as the countertop material of choice, contributing to a sale premium of 3.5% versus 2.6% for quartz. And a wet room is now more desirable than other spa-inspired bathroom features. Having a wet room, which is a fully waterproofed space, can help a home sell for an additional 3.3%, compared to 0.6% more for a spa-inspired bathroom. \nHomes with functional outdoor space continue to sell for more, cementing a pandemic-era shift in home preferences. Listings that mention an outdoor shower sell for 2.8% more than similar homes, while outdoor kitchens and bluestone patios can both help boost resale value by 2.2%. \nA previous Zillow report showed remodeled homes commanded the highest sale premiums of all the keywords analyzed, selling for nearly 4% more than expected (3.7%). Buyers appear willing to pay more upfront for a move-in-ready home rather than take out a higher-interest loan or pay cash to cover the rising costs of a renovation. \nZillow conducted this analysis by looking for the presence...