Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Real Estate what sells houses

Unique amenities like a professional kitchen or a pizza oven can set a home apart from the competition. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

By Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff

Hannah Bryan

News Writer

Hannah Bryan is a news writer for Leaders Media. Most recently she was a reporter for the Sanilac County News...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Apr 12, 2023

Factors That Make Homes Sell

The housing market is beginning to slow as high mortgage rates scare away buyers, but savvy sellers are employing tactics that can help move a home more quickly. 

Key Details

  • Housing prices are beginning to drop following several years of market volatility. 
  • On March 26, the median home price was $361,000—a 2% decline from the same time last year, according to Redfin. 
  • In addition to lower prices, sellers are also competing with rising mortgage rates, which are over 6%. 
  • Sellers must strike a balance between an enticing offer for buyers while fetching the highest price possible. Some surprising features in a home can give a buyer the final push to purchase. 

Why it’s news

A few short years ago, sellers could expect to make a considerable profit when selling their home. During and shortly after the pandemic, bidding wars pushed housing prices thousands of dollars above asking. Now sellers are scrambling for buyer incentives to get their home off the market more quickly. 

Fortunately for sellers today, current buyers appear willing to pay extra for certain luxuries in homes, according to Zillow. Including items in a listing such as steam and pizza ovens, professional grade appliances, and other chef-friendly amenities can bring in as much as 5.3% more than similar homes in the area. Trendy features like she sheds or terrazzo can boost the sale price by 2.5% if included in the listing description. 

Practical items too, like doorbell cameras, fenced-in backyards, or heat pumps, can make a home sell faster. These features are often relatively easy for the seller to add to the house before listing. 

However, these perks will not appeal to every buyer. While some buyers may pay high dollar for a home with professional kitchen appliances, not every buyer is interested in these amenities. Personalized additions—like a “she shed,” female version of a man cave—may result in a longer time on the market, but when the home does sell, it can fetch a higher overall price. For example, homes with wine cellars sit on the market two days more than the average but sell for 2.5% more. 

Just like certain features can bring a higher selling price, others can bring that price down. Tile countertops, for example, can drag down the final price by as much as 1.1%, according to Zillow. 

Items that make a home stand out

Here are a few items that can attract more buyers and how much they can potentially raise the selling price. 

  • Steam oven—5.3%
  • Pizza oven—3.7%
  • Professional appliances—3.6%
  • Terrazzo—2.6%
  • She shed—2.5%
  • Soapstone—2.5%
  • Quartz—2.4%
  • Modern farmhouse—2.4%
  • Hurricane shutters/storm shutters—2.3%
  • Mid-century design—2.3%

These items may not have much effect on the price, but houses with these features tend to sell faster.

  • Doorbell camera—5.1 days
  • Soapstone—3.8 days
  • Open shelving—3.5 days
  • Heat pump—3 days
  • Fenced backyard—2.9 days
  • Mid-century—2.8 days
  • Hardwood—2.4 days
  • Walkable—2.4 days
  • Shiplap—2.3 days
  • Gas furnace–2.3 days
Home / News / Factors That Make Homes Sell
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Seattle Takes The Crown For Advanced Tech Talent

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Tech

Oct 24, 2023

Seattle tech talent

Seattle has emerged as the metro area with the most advanced tech talent, beating out tech hubs like San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Key Details

  • According to a new ranking by the Burning Glass Institute, Seattle has the highest proportion of advanced tech workers compared to other cities with similarly sized tech workforces.
  • The ranking evaluated 60 million high-paying, in-demand tech job postings and histories to identify cities with cutting-edge roles like AI and cybersecurity rather than legacy tech positions.
  • With tech giants Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in Seattle, the city edged out the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Austin, and Raleigh on the list.
  • The report found that demand for software developers and IT support specialists has declined over the past five years as companies seek more specialized tech talent.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

More Americans Can’t Keep Up With Car Payments

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
Loans and Borrowing

Oct 23, 2023

car loans, used cars

A record number of Americans are behind on their car loan payments as higher interest rates and prices weigh on consumers.

Key Details

  • According to data from Fitch Ratings, 6.11% of car loans were at least 60 days delinquent in September, the highest since tracking began in the early 2000s.
  • Some interest rates on used cars can rise to as much as 21%, according to Bankrate.
  • Soaring prices and rising interest rates are squeezing consumers, making it difficult for some to keep up with their auto loans.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Chevron Makes $53 Billion Deal Amid Surging Gas Prices

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Markets

Oct 23, 2023

Chevron Gas Deal

Chevron is acquiring Hess Corp. for $53 billion, the second significant oil producer acquisition this month as crude prices climb.

Key Details

  • Chevron is purchasing Hess in an all-cash deal worth $53 billion, including debt and preferred stock redemption.
  • This comes just weeks after ExxonMobil announced its $59.5 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources.
  • With oil over $80 per barrel, major producers are using their windfall profits to acquire smaller players and boost payouts to shareholders.
  • Chevron expects the deal to close in H1 2023 pending regulatory approvals and Hess shareholder vote.
  • Hess CEO John Hess will join Chevron's board once the acquisition is complete.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
nike logo
Company Culture

Oct 20, 2023

Nike to Require More In-Office Days From Employees

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
blue collar workers
Retirement

Oct 20, 2023

Explaining The ‘C+ Grade’ Retirement Ecosystem in The United States

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
netflix building
Entertainment

Oct 19, 2023

Netflix Hiking Prices While Adding Millions of Subscribers

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Hiring

Nov 1, 2023

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

Come to your next phone interview fully prepared

Personal Growth

Oct 30, 2023

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Don’t fall into the trap of harsh self-criticism

Company Culture

Oct 27, 2023

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Sabbaticals can benefits both employees and businesses

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2025 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com