Zillow: Home Searchers Focused on Lifestyle in 2025

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Zillow, Seattle, released its annual Zillow Zeitgeist report, highlighting what sorts of search terms potential buyers were using for homes throughout the year.

While 2024 saw an emphasis on spacious spots and high-end features, 2025 included a lot of “lifestyle” searches.

Browsers were looking for proximity to water, flexible layouts and smaller amenities.

For example, interest in pools, patios, yards and views rose year-over-year. Other amenities that garnered interest included fireplaces, gardens and fenced yards.  

Water was a particular focus point, with searches for lakes, docks, rivers, waterfronts and beaches up year-over-year.

Homes that can support multiple kinds of lifestyles and generations also grew, with searches up for ADUs (accessible dwelling units), guest houses, casitas and in-law suites.

Rural-related terms also saw some interest, with searches like “horse property” and “barndominium” gaining prominence.

And, searchers were looking for local character, with searches up for words like adobe, brick, Cape Cod, cottage, historic and Victorian.

In contrast, searches such as mansion, luxury and acreage fell from 2024.

“2025 was the year people stopped searching for more home and started searching for more meaning at home,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “Across the country, buyers want homes that can flex for family, offer access to nature and deliver small daily comforts that make life feel easier and more joyful.”