6 "Charming" Kitchen Features That Can Majorly Boost Your Home’s Value, According to Experts

When selling your home, you can't overlook the importance of a great real estate listing description. According to new Zillow research, touting certain kitchen features in your listing can make your home sell for more than expected—and mentioning others can have the opposite effect.

“It’s important to note this analysis did not identify the ROI a renovation project could have on a home,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “If you have these features in your home already, you should flaunt them in your listing description, but you shouldn’t necessarily add them and expect these sale premiums.”

From soapstone countertops to entertaining must-haves, like a pizza oven and ice machine, mentioning these features in a listing “signals perceived quality,” says Pendleton. “These are the things a buyer associates with a ‘nice house’ right now—and there are many other factors that also go into that perception.”

Ahead, we’re breaking down the top kitchen features that can make your home sell for more than expected. Take note, and make sure to highlight these covetable details if your home has them.

Soapstone, Quartz, and Onyx Counters

When it comes to kitchen counters, new materials are outperforming old favorites. Homes with soapstone countertops sell for 3.5 percent more than expected, whereas those with quartz counters are selling for 2.6 percent more than expected. Close behind are onyx countertops at 2.3 percent.

“Richly veined natural stone countertops and backsplashes are quickly becoming the calling card of today’s luxury kitchen,” says Pendleton. “Newly popular materials like soapstone and onyx are now commanding some of the highest sale premiums of all features analyzed, overtaking granite and marble. These are dramatic, statement-making stone choices that signal this is not your average cookie-cutter kitchen.”

New Appliances

Naturally, many people looking for a new home are seeking a place with new appliances. Mentioning the keywords “new appliances” can contribute to a home selling for 2.7 percent more than expected.

Walnut Cabinets

For cabinetry, homes with walnut cabinets sell for 2.2 percent more than expected when that feature is mentioned in the listing description. If you've been thinking about painting those beauties a bold shade and plan to sell in the near future, you might want to rethink that trendy kitchen design choice.

Pot Fillers

Other nice-to-haves include homes with pot fillers, which can sell for 2.2 percent more than expected. It's easy to see why buyers value these little luxuries, which can make cooking easy breezy, but owners of this feature should make sure to properly care for the wall-mounted faucet.

Entertainment-Centric Features

Touting entertainer-friendly features, including pizza ovens, ice machines, and beverage centers in a listing description can also make a home sell for 2 percent, 2 percent, and 1.7 percent more than expected, respectively. "These fun add-ons may not be 'must-have' features, but they give a kitchen that 'wow' factor and allow prospective buyers to imagine what their next dinner party could look like in your home," says Pendleton.

Induction Cooktops

When an induction cooktop is mentioned in a real estate listing, the home can sell for 1.9 percent more than expected. Rising concerns over gas stove safety for personal health reasons and environmental impact likely contribute to the upward appeal of an induction cooktop as a preferred alternative these days.