A Zillow analysis of more than 250 billion online searches shows storage and outdoor amenities to be among the top preferences for American home shoppers in 2023.
The top 10 search terms, nationally:
• Garage
• Backyard
• Fireplace
• Walk-in closet
• Patio
• Open floor plan
• Pool
• Family room
• Basement
• Granite counters
“Natural language search gives us this ability to look at unique and highly local trends across the U.S.,” said Nicholas Stevens, Zillow’s vice president of product, artificial intelligence. “This lets us go deeper than the typical search filters, helping us better show shoppers homes with the features they really want.”
Zillow was able to analyze search terms by market and region to find trends by climate and locale.
Climate control systems — centralized AC and heating — emerged among the top three search terms in 22 out of 30 cities. Central heating took the No. 1 spot in these southern cities with typically mild climates: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Nashville, San Antonio and Tampa.
Buyers, not surprisingly, often seek out homes with a view. In Seattle, mountain views, city views and water views rank among buyers’ top five searches, In Miami, buyers are looking for water views, while buyers in Atlanta and San Francisco search most often for city views. In Colorado Springs, mountain views are a top search term.
One of the top searches in Atlanta is for a double vanity. Buyers in Naples are looking for tennis courts, clubhouses and tile roofs.
In Philadelphia, buyers searched often for street parking and finished basements.
Across all cities, Tucson was the only city with an architectural term among the top five searches, looking for “contemporary style” homes.