Must-haves for first-time homebuyers
Claw-foot bathtubs help houses sell for 29 per cent more. Homes that listed fire pits sold for 25 per cent more than those that didn’t. Solar panels, claw-foot bathtubs are among most-wanted features
WASHINGTON— Barn doors and in-laws are two things with a lot in common. They are, that is, if you’re a first-time homebuyer.
Turns out, those features are on a list of amenities that new buyers are drawn to, according to a recent report from RealEstate.com, a new site from online real estate database company Zillow Group. Among the features and phrases that resulted in higherthan-expected sales prices than comparable homes without those highlights:
Solar panels. Entry-level homes with the keywords solar panels sold for 40 per cent more than comparable homes without that phrase.
Coffered ceilings garnered a 29-per-cent premium.
Clawfoot tub helped houses sell for 29 per cent more.
Mid-century. Homes that could claim mid-century features sold for 28 per cent more.
In-law. Residences with a dedicated space for in-laws sold for 28 per cent more.
Exposed beams helped homes with sell for 26 per cent more than similar homes without them.
Farmhouse sinks in kitchens sold for 26 per cent more than homes without them.
Fire pit. Homes that mentioned them in their listing sold for 25 per cent more than those that didn’t.
Barn door. While some people are starting to say barn doors are overused, homes that have them sold for 23 per cent more than those that don’t.
Exposed brick. Whether it’s an older or newer home, residences with exposed brick sold for 23 per cent more than similar homes without that feature.
To generate this list of features, RealEstate.com analyzed listing descriptions for entrylevel homes priced within the bottom third of the market.