Americans’ home-search behavior in 2025 shifted markedly from traditional square footage and luxury attributes more toward lifestyle-oriented priorities, according to Zillow Zeitgeist 2025, an annual review of search trends on Zillow’s platform.
The report finds that homebuyers increasingly sought features and settings that support daily living, adaptability, and connection with nature, rather than status-driven amenities.
Zillow’s Zeitgeist analysis utilizes aggregated search activity across the calendar year 2025, offering insights into evolving buyer priorities that reflect broader lifestyle shifts in the U.S. housing market.
"2025 was the year people stopped searching for more homes 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."
Nationwide trends showed notable changes from 2024, as searches for outdoor-focused features such as pool, patio, yard, and scenic view climbed substantially, indicating a demand for livability over sheer space. Water-related terms, including lake, river, waterfront, and beach also surged, even in inland markets historically detached from waterfront home interest.
Flexible living arrangements gained traction as well, with increased interest in accessory dwelling units (ADUs), guest houses, casitas, and in-law suites — reflecting a surge in multigenerational living preferences, rental income potential, and adaptable floor plans. Conversely, luxury-oriented terms such as mansion and acreage saw cooler demand, while searches for fireplaces, gardens, and fenced yards pointed to a preference for comfort and practical daily enjoyment over high-end features. Privacy and serenity were also priorities, with more searches for gated communities and secluded outdoor spaces.
Comparative year-over-year shifts reveal that lifestyle and experience-oriented searches outpaced utilitarian home types. Terms like pool, lake, and waterfront overtook interest in ranches, cabins, and acreage, while ADUs and guest houses grew even as searches for traditional home types such as duplexes declined.
Regional data underscore the diversity of local preferences. Examples include Alaska’s unique interest in hangars and four-plexes, New Mexico’s sustained demand for adobe homes, and strong multigenerational home interest in New York and New Jersey.
Across broader regions, trends ranged from solar and guest house searches in the Southwest to waterfront and balcony queries in coastal states.
