According to Zillow’s newly launched Buzz Index, exposed beams increase daily buyer engagement by 20 percent. Buzz Index tracks clicks, saves, and revisits across over 600 home features and design styles.
Homes with unique architectural features significantly increase buyer interest on Zillow, according to a new metric launched by the company.
The Zillow Buzz Index (ZBI) measures how specific design details and architectural styles impact daily buyer engagement on the platform, including clicks, saves, and revisits. Zillow created the index by analyzing the features and design styles of more than 600 homes.
According to Zillow, exposed beams topped the list with a 20% increase in daily buyer engagement. Victorian architecture was a close second at 19 percent, followed by exposed brick (15 percent), open shelving (15 percent) and arched doorways (14 percent).
Tudor-style homes received 14% more interest, while mid-century homes and A-frames each saw an increase of 13%. Bungalow, log home, and Cape Cod construction also had above average engagement, each at between 11% and 12%.
“Today’s shoppers are craving homes with character,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s housing trends expert. “Charming details such as exposed beams, original brick and vintage architectural elements tell a story and create an emotional connection from the moment shoppers see the product.”
In addition to architecture, lifestyle amenities also increased engagement. According to Zillow, saltwater pools and outdoor showers each generated at least 10% more savings per day, while lawn yards attracted 10% more interest.
Zillow says the index is based on data from its platform, which averages 235 million unique users per month, and that homes that exceed daily views and saves tend to go under contract faster and are more likely to sell for more than list price.
Zillow said that for sellers and their agents, this data points to a simple conclusion: highlight the features of the home. The company also pointed to a Zillow preview feature that allows sellers to build early engagement before a listing officially goes live.
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