New data has revealed the most in-demand home and interior decor features prospective homebuyers in North Carolina are searching for most this time of year.
The findings come from real estate experts Agent Advice and follow an analysis of national and state-specific Google searches for popular home features and design elements made throughout March, April, and May each year.
The data found that the most sought-after feature in North Carolina was ceiling fans, which were searched for an average of 8,817 times each month in the run-up to spring.
This makes sense, given they’re essential for temperature regulation, and spring is one of the most changeable seasons weatherwise in the state. They also work to improve energy efficiency, as they consume less energy than air conditioning units.
Following in second is a kitchen island, with 6,775 monthly searches made throughout spring. This is likely due to its practical benefits like more storage space, extra room for food preparation, and the appeal to fans of an open-plan kitchen.
The third most coveted home feature is quartz countertops, which are searched for 5,250 times a month between March and May each year.
These are renowned for their durability, which means they’re less likely to scratch, crack, or get chipped.
Coming in fourth as the feature that homebuyers in North Carolina would be most swayed by is solar panels, which is searched for an average of 5,000 times monthly.
Solar panels also work to reduce energy bills and increase home value, with Zillow reporting homes with solar panels sell for around 4.1% more than those without.
Rounding out the top five most searched-for home features in the state is vinyl flooring, which are searched for 4,733 times per month. Made from synthetic materials like fiberglass or PVC, they’re easy to maintain, water-resistant, and highly customizable in various patterns and colors.
The ten most searched-for home and decor features in North Carolina
| Feature/Decor | Average Monthly Google Searches (March-May) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ceiling Fans | 8,817 |
| 2 | Kitchen Island | 6,775 |
| 3 | Quartz Countertops | 5,250 |
| 4 | Solar Panels | 5,000 |
| 5 | Vinyl Flooring | 4,733 |
| 6 | Stackable Washer & Dryer | 4,483 |
| 7 | Granite Countertops | 4,433 |
| 8 | Hardwood Flooring | 4,267 |
| 9 | Framed TV | 3,483 |
| 10 | Farmhouse Sink | 2,933 |
Homebuyers in the state are more bothered about home features like countertops, flooring, and white goods than design elements, the data shows.
Happily, for hopeful sellers, it’s generally advised to advertise your home using a neutral color scheme so that your design choices don’t influence buyers.
