Zillow Zeitgeist: 2025’s Top-Searched Home Features

From floor plans to life plans

In this year’s Zillow Zeitgeist, millions of home searches from 2025 reveal what people were actually looking for in their next home. All those searches tell a story.

Last year, Americans longed for space, with searches for features like “acreage,” “mansion” and “luxury” rising to the top. In 2025, they shifted their focus from square footage to what spaces can offer. From ADUs to waterfront views, the idea of a “dream home” leaned more toward lifestyle than layout.

America’s search map

The ideal home isn’t one-size-fits-all for shoppers, but a few trending themes rose to the top across the country:

Let’s go swimming 🌊 
Whether it's for the view or activities, water-related searches made a splash for nearly every state — even inland markets.
Search terms: Beach, Dock, Lake, Ocean, Pond, Pool, River, Waterfront
Top states: Alabama, Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Wisconsin

Living together 🏡 
The “multi-use home” trend spans coast to coast. It’s about adaptability — homes built for hosting, housing parents, or renting side hustles. 
Search terms: ADU, Casita, Duplex, Guest house, In-law suite, Mother-daughter
Top states: Connecticut, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, Washington

Rural living 🐎 
The rural renaissance is real. From “horse property” to “barndominiums,” Americans are searching for land with a purpose.
Search terms: Acreage, Barn, Barndominium, Farm, Fenced yard, Horse property, Ranch
Top states: Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming

Cozy comforts 🔥 
From log cabins to fireplaces, this year's home searches revealed a desire to feel cozy over flashy.
Search terms: Cabin, Cottage, Fireplace, Log Cabin, Ski
Top states: Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia

Sunlight and everyday escape ☀️
Americans searched for the joys of indoor-outdoor living — not through resort-like amenities, but through simple pleasures that offer fresh air or connection with nature.
Search terms: Balcony, Golf, Patio, Pool, Solar, View
Top states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada

Local charm ❤️ 
Across the country, people embraced classic styles and historic architecture unique to where they live.
Search terms: Adobe, Brick, Cape Cod, Cottage, Historic, Victorian
Top states: Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Virginia

Homes that hold our whole lives

In 2025, demand for flexible living surged, as people consider how their homes can evolve to meet changing needs and work harder for them.

This year, searches for ADUs, guest houses, in-law suites and duplexes all climbed — clear signs that Americans are rethinking how home can flex to fit real life.

Whether it’s creating space for aging parents, a rental unit for extra income, or a studio for passion projects, 2025’s home searches reflect a simple truth: We’re building homes that evolve with us. These are homes that hold our families, our work and our dreams — all under one roof.

Comfort became the new luxury

In 2025, Americans found comfort and security in simple pleasures.

From fireplaces to casitas to cabins, this year's searches leaned into relaxation rather than luxury. Paired with interest in backyards and patios, it suggests people looked for daily retreats in attainable ways.

What will you search for next?

From cozy cabins to design-forward duplexes, 2025 showed us that home means something a little different to everyone. Whether you're in the market for a high-rise apartment or a barndominium, you can find homes for how you want to live on Zillow. Start your search.