Don't Play, Parents: Homes With Kid-Friendly Features go Fast

Zillow Research
·3 min read

  • Listing keywords indicating nearby parks, bonus space, and pools are some of the hottest for attracting home shopping families.

  • Families should expect to pay more for kid-friendly features, with listings that mention "treehouse" or "garage" associated with a 2.2% sale premium.

  • Kid-friendly homes are also selling quicker than expected. Homes with a backyard mentioned in the listing description are selling more than five days faster.

Buyers looking to snag a child-friendly home near a park or with a treehouse better be prepared to act fast.

Highlighting outdoor, family-friendly features in online listing descriptions helps homes sell more quickly than when indoor amenities are highlighted, a clear signal of the high demand families place on outdoor space. Listings mentioning a backyard sold 5.2 days faster than expected, and homes featuring a sandbox (4.5 days quicker) and playground (2.5 days) also sold more quickly.

And not only are outdoor features prompting faster sales, they are also associated with a higher sale price. The feature with the highest price premium is "treehouse," which contributed to a home selling for 2.2% more than expected. Other backyard features associated with selling for a premium include Jacuzzi (1.6%), swing set (0.8%) and pool (0.5%).

For sellers, these findings don't mean they should add these features before they list, or that these features alone will yield a high return on investment — but if home sellers have them, they should definitely flaunt them. Buyers likely don't need to be told that in a hot housing market like the one we're currently in, highly desirable homes are flying off the market at breakneck speeds. And homes with these family-friendly features are being snatched up even faster — contributing to the feeling that home shopping with children can feel like another full-time job, next to parenting and working. But families are finding ways to make the move every day, and a few commonsense steps can make a big difference.

Securing pre-approval will speed up the process when the time comes to make an offer and snag the home with a swing set. Buyers can utilize real estate technology, including 3D home tours, to virtually tour homes ahead of time so they can act quickly when they find one that fits their needs. And having a trusted agent to help navigate the process will help buyers get an edge in a competitive market and keep busy, working parents sane while trying to find a home that works for them.

Community amenities that make a neighborhood fun for kids are also highly prized by families. Listing keywords indicating nearby parks, cul de sac and community pools help identify common areas where kids can make new friends and play outside, and are also associated with homes that sell between two and four days quicker than expected. Additionally, homes in a "walkable" neighborhood tend to sell 3.9 days faster that expected, meaning families want these amenities to be close by and accessible.

Homes featuring "finished basements" and "bonus space" sell for 0.7% more than expected. It's likely little surprise why — these spaces are excellent for separating work from play, giving parents some peace and quiet.

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