An analysis from realtor.com shows homes with amenities geared toward summer activities have major appeal for buyers. The official site of the National Association of Realtors found homes with summer features are often listed with at least 10 percent higher prices than similar homes that did not have these amenities.
Realtor.com looked for common summer-related features in listings of single-family homes priced $150,000 and above that appeared on its site in May 2018. The study found the summer features that correlated with highest price per square foot gain when compared to similar homes without them were outdoor showers, with a 97 percent price per square foot premium; barbecues, 26 percent; entertainers pool or spa; 26 percent; fire pits or outdoor fireplaces, 25 percent; and zoned sprinklers, 21 percent.
"Buyers love special features that enable them to get the most out of the summer months, and are willing to pay more for a home that has them, according to our analysis," said Javier Vivas, director of economic research for realtor.com.
Outdoor showers are highly desirable in the summer and tend to list for nearly double the asking price per square foot of other homes. In New York, the added value is even more pronounced, where homes with an outdoor shower listed for 256 percent more per square foot than other for-sale homes.
The most popular summer listing feature is a barbecue grill. Barbecues are mentioned in nearly 9.6 percent of listings nationwide, and are most popular in Arizona and California, where they appear in 15.8 and 9.5 percent of listings, respectively. Buyers in just about every state can expect to pay more for homes with this feature.
Fireplaces and fire pits are most popular in Indiana, where 7.2 percent of all listings mention them. Following closely behind are North Carolina, Idaho and California, each with proportions above 5 percent.
"Entertainer's pools" have space for friends and family to hang out nearby. Homes with this feature are listed 26 percent higher than similar homes without this feature. Entertainer pools are most popular in Florida, where they were mentioned in more than 3 percent of listings. California, Arizona, and Hawaii follow closely, with mentions in just over 2 percent of listings.
"An outdoor feature would bring additional value to your home depending on where you live. Barbecues are relatively inexpensive compared to adding an entertainment pool or outdoor shower and can be enjoyed by your family and friends, almost year-round, especially in California," according to Bill Moody, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
When adding any feature - whether indoor or outdoor - to your home, it is always best to consult a Realtor, says Moody. "A Realtor is familiar with homes in your area and will be able to let you know whether the added feature will appeal to buyers and bring a price per square foot boost to your home, should you plan to sell it down the road."
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
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