These 10 Features Can Help Your Home Sell Quicker—and for More Money

© Zach & Buj The top three value-boosters can be found in the kitchen, according to a report from Zillow. Here's what else can help your home sell faster and for more money.

The home selling and buying process is far more complex than a single listing might let on. Everything from your home's smell during open houses to the paint colors to the home tour photos can make a significant difference in how quickly it sells—and for how much.

While every buyer will be seeking something a little different, there are some general trends in what makes a house feel like a home—especially to potential buyers. According to new Zillow research that involved data from 1.98 million homes listed and sold in 2022, there are a handful of features that help a listing stand out from the crowd.

To land at their list of the qualities found in recent "hot homes," the Zillow team compared a home's final sale price with the pre-listing "Zestimate," or how much it was expected to sell for, and its time on the market. Then they searched for if the listing included or did not include a mention of 271 features, such as a fenced-in backyard or wine cellar.

After crunching the numbers, in terms of sale price, it's all about the kitchen. Buyers are seeking chef-friendly features that will help them channel their favorite Food Network star, such as professional-grade appliances, steam ovens and pizza ovens. A steam oven alone correlated with a 5.3 percent higher sale price than homes without; that translates to a $17,400 jump. Trendy materials like terrazzo, quartz and soapstone also tend to help a home sell at a premium, if they're touted in a listing description.

Homes fly off the market faster, and usually have more competition among buyers, if they showcase practical details, like a gas furnace or a walkable neighborhood. A doorbell camera might seem like a minor detail, but it makes a major difference. Homes with this smart home element sold, on average, five days faster than homes without.

Listings promoting personalized, hobby-focused features, such as a "she shed," wine cellar or backyard putting green will find their buyers—and at a 1.2 to 2.5 percent higher price—but usually stay on the market for a bit longer (5 extra days or so).

If you're a homeowner looking to optimize your sale price or inspire home-seekers to snap it up faster, the Zillow pros suggest mentioning details that offer a "wow" factor, a nod to luxury or a key differentiator from other similar homes. Think: Saltwater pools and outdoor kitchens.

On the flip side, certain features that seem dated can cause a home's sale price to dip. So what's considered "out"? Laminate flooring and tile countertops.

The Top 10 Features That Increase Home Sale Price

Steam oven: + 5.3 percent

Pizza oven: + 3.7 percent

Professional appliances: + 3.6 percent

Terrazzo: + 2.6 percent

She shed: + 2.5 percent

Soapstone: + 2.5 percent

Quartz: + 2.4 percent

Modern farmhouse: + 2.4 percent

Hurricane or storm shutters: + 2.3 percent

Mid-century: + 2.3 percent

The Top 10 Features That Increase Home Sale Speed

Doorbell camera: 5.1 days faster

Soapstone: 3.8 days faster

Open shelving: 3.5 days faster

Heat pump: 3 days faster

Fenced backyard: 2.9 days faster

Mid-century: 2.8 days faster

Hardwood: 2.4 days faster

Walkable: 2.4 days faster

Shiplap: 2.3 days faster

Gas furnace: 2.3 days faster

Love real estate? Read these articles next: