Looking to Sell? Zillow Finds Most Profitable Home Amenities

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Every homeowner has one question in mind before updating their house: Which upgrades will command top dollar when it’s time to sell? The answer can be complicated, since each buyer offers a different perspective; however, there’s one universal truth: Everyone likes bonus amenities.

Zillow recently analyzed the listing descriptions of nearly four million homes across the U.S. (sold between January 2016 and December 2017). By using keywords related to home features, Zillow determined which amenities most impacted home sale prices and time on market.

The findings? Specialty features like heated floors, steam showers and outdoor kitchens typically had a 30 percent effect (how much a home sells for above the expected value), and also sold in a shorter amount of time. Some add-ons were more prominent in certain states than others; however, there was one standout: Buyers in Los Angeles, Calif., generally pay premium prices for bonus features.

The top 10 amenities are:

1. Steam Shower
Effect: 29 percent
Most Common Metro: Chicago, Ill.

2. Professional Appliance
Effect: 29 percent
Most Common Metro: Los Angeles, Calif.

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