The Features Turning Homes Into Must-Haves
Features like quartzite counters, outdoor showers and fireplaces are drawing higher sale prices as buyers look for homes that feel updated and comfortable.
NEW YORK – Home buyers appear willing to pay more for features that combine practicality with comfort and a sense of everyday luxury.
“The home is becoming more of a haven and is influenced by luxury hotel/resort/cruise excursions,” Ashley R. Jenkins, interior designer, architect and Realtor, told House Beautiful magazine.
New data shows homes with quartzite countertops sold for 5.2% more than similar homes without them, while outdoor showers were linked to a 4.3% premium and steam showers to a 2.9% premium.
Outdoor fireplaces, golf simulators, and built-in ice machines were also associated with higher sale prices, with premiums of 2.8%, 2.7% and 2.3%, respectively.
The pattern suggests that buyers are placing real value on homes that feel updated and ready to enjoy, particularly when those features support entertaining, wellness or low-maintenance living.
It also shows that for many buyers perceived value is being shaped as much by lifestyle amenities as by traditional selling points.
Source: House Beautiful (03/26) Deering, Shelby
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