Sustainability is emerging as a key home-buying trend as consumers seek climate-resilient and energy-efficient houses that can help lower costs and potentially reduce insurance expenses, as highlighted in a report published by Zillow. Emerging trends include whole-home batteries and electric vehicle chargers along with cozier floor layouts as opposed to 'cavernous open floor plans.' The company analyzed millions of for-sale listings on its platform in 2024 to identify keywords that appeared 'far more frequently' than the previous year. 'Homeowners are increasingly prioritizing sustainable living that is also affordable, making energy-efficient and climate-resilient features highly sought after,' remarked Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert.
'These features not only help keep costs down but also contribute significantly to reducing insurance expenses.' Mentions of whole-home batteries, designed to store excess solar energy, surged by 62% this year, marking the fastest-growing feature identified in the analysis. Electric vehicle chargers appeared in 34% more for-sale listings compared to the prior year, while solar panels were mentioned 18% more frequently. As the frequency of climate-related disasters has increased, so has the demand for homes that offer protective features.
Listings noting flood barriers were up 22% year over year, whereas those mentioning seismic retrofitting climbed 20% and water catchment systems saw a 19% increase. The term 'cozy' in listings rose by 35% this year, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, more intimate living spaces that align with both affordability and sustainability, marking a departure from the expansive floor plans that gained popularity during the pandemic. Last month, Zillow reported a 3% increase in the starts for attached single-family homes from 2022 to 2023, while starts for detached single-family homes witnessed a nearly 9% decline..