"2025 was the year people stopped searching for more home and started searching for more meaning at home, said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert. Across the country, buyers want homes that can flex for family, offer access to nature and deliver small daily comforts that make life feel easier and more joyful. Search activity reflected growing demand for outdoor and experience-driven features."
"Queries for homes with pools, patios, yards and views increased year over year, while searches tied to luxury properties including mansions and large acreage declined compared with 2024. Water access emerged as a prominent theme nationwide. Searches for terms such as lake, river, dock, waterfront and beach rose across the country, including in states where waterfront interest has historically been limited, such as Mississippi, Montana and Oklahoma."
"Buyers also showed rising interest in flexible housing arrangements. Searches for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), guest houses, casitas and in-law suites increased pointing to demand for multigenerational living options and adaptable floor plans that can support rental income or extended family needs. At the same time, comfort-related features gained traction over luxury markers. Searches for fireplaces, gardens and fenced yards rose, while interest in high-end descriptors cooled."
Buyers in 2025 shifted priorities toward homes that support family flexibility, daily comfort and nature access. Demand increased for outdoor and experience-driven features such as pools, patios, yards and views, while interest in mansions and large acreage declined versus 2024. Water access gained prominence nationwide, with searches for lake, river, dock, waterfront and beach rising even in states with limited historical waterfront interest. Searches for ADUs, guest houses, casitas and in-law suites rose, reflecting multigenerational living and rental-income potential. Comfort features like fireplaces, gardens and fenced yards grew, and searches for gated properties signaled greater desire for privacy and security. Regional data showed distinct local preferences.
Read at www.housingwire.com
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