As we look ahead to the New Year, Zillow (Z) says homebuyers are feeling nostalgic but interested in new technology.
The online real-estate marketplace browsed hundreds of popular search terms to spot the trends buyers are increasingly looking for in their next purchase.
Check out which six trends it thinks will only increase in popularity in 2025.
“Cozy” used to be the word realtor’s would use to describe a small space. But Zillow says buyers are seeking a cozy home more than ever.
“A home is not just a checklist of practical features; it’s a feeling,” Amanda Pendleton, a Zillow’s home trends expert, said. “Homeowners and buyers today are looking to the past to create a sense of warmth, character, and comfort in even the most high-tech environments.”
Climate-minded buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient and sustainable homes. Zillows says people want to save on their utility bills and help save the planet in the process.
People are on the lookout for homes with solar panels and already installed electric vehicle chargers.
“Technology has enabled homeowners to live more sustainably and more affordably, which is a growing priority for prospective buyers,” Pendleton said.
While buyers might be looking toward the future for energy-efficient home, they are also increasingly interested in so-called “nostalgic” homes, Zillow says.
People are more interested than they used to be in historic charm, including vintage furniture, wallpaper, and tapestries.
Buyers are searching for home libraries at higher rates, too, according to Zillow. It saw a 22% increase in search interest for reading rooms and expects that trend to continue in 2025.
With increasingly intense storms on the horizon, buyers want homes that can fare harsh weather. Zillow says 86% of recent buyers want a house with at least some climate resiliency, according to a recent survey.
People are looking for things like water catchment systems, drought-resistant turfed lawns, and flood barriers.
“Energy-efficient and climate-resilient home features are quickly gaining popularity as homeowners look to keep costs down, including insurance costs,” Pendleton said.
Buyers want it all when it comes to their bathrooms and are increasingly interested in wet rooms — which are spaces that have both a shower and a bath. Zillow says interest in wet rooms has increased 19% recently.
