This post originally appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, a newspaper in Columbus, Ohio.
Want to sell a home? Tout the home’s subway tiles or barn door. A new Zillow study found that mentioning those features and others in a listing can help a home sell faster and for more money.
In an examination of listing descriptions, days on market, and prices, Zillow found 15 descriptions that appeared to boost a home’s appeal. Leading the way was “barn door,” which corresponded with a 13 percent bump over estimated price and a sale 57 days faster than average. After barn door came (in order): shaker cabinet, farmhouse sink, subway tile, quartz, craftsman, exposed brick, pendant light, frameless shower, heated floors, stainless steel, granite, backsplash, tankless water heater, and outdoor kitchen.
“When it comes to real estate listing descriptions, words matter,” said Svenja Gudell, Zillow chief economist. “Craftsman-style homes and amenities resonate incredibly well with today’s buyers — so if you’ve got them, flaunt them!”
