SEATTLE — New Zillow research finds that homes with statement finishes and natural materials sell for as much as 3.5% more than expected. That's an additional $12,500 on a typical U.S. home.

"Organic modernism is the new modern farmhouse," said Zillow's home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. "The contemporary look of homes today is characterized by natural stone, wood flooring and cabinetry, and textured walls. Buyers are seeking out and competing for homes with these raw but refined finishes, and that's pushing up sale prices."

These new materials are boosting resale values more than old favorites. White oak flooring outperforms as the flooring material of choice, contributing to a sale premium of 3.2% versus 2.1% for cork flooring. Walnut cabinets also increase the selling point of a home by 2.2%, according to the data. 

Homes with functional outdoor space continue to sell for more, cementing a pandemic-era shift in home preferences. Listings that mention an outdoor shower sell for 2.8% more than similar homes, while outdoor kitchens and bluestone patios can both help boost resale value by 2.2%.

Zillow conducted this analysis by looking for the presence of more than 350 listing keywords across more than 2 million homes listed for sale in 2024. Sale price premiums were calculated by comparing the home's final sale price with its the pre-listing Zestimate, controlling for factors such as the home's age, size and when it was listed. 

To read the full report, visit zillow.com/research.