The property feature most house hunters want is perfectly Australian
If house hunters were asked in 2024 how their search was going, most would answer: “swimmingly”.
“Pool” was the most-searched keyword for prospective buyers on Domain this year.
The Domain End of Year Wrap reveals what buyers most desired when browsing listings, based on search behaviour.
| National | |
| Top keywords by search volume (Jan – 18th Nov 2024) | |
| Rank | 2024 |
| 1 | Pool |
| 2 | Waterfront |
| 3 | View |
| 4 | Granny Flat |
| 5 | Garage |
| 6 | Beach |
| 7 | Study |
| 8 | Water View |
| 9 | Dual |
| 10 | Duplex |
| 11 | New |
| 12 | Art Deco |
| 13 | North |
| 14 | River |
| 15 | Courtyard |
| 16 | Water |
| 17 | Brick |
| 18 | Shed |
| 19 | Penthouse |
| 20 | Floor |
For buyers perusing regional listings, the top keyword in searches was waterfront, followed by pool, and view at number three.
Pool also topped Domain’s end-of-year research last year. It’s only natural that the love affair endures, Domain’s head of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell says.
“Australians are driven by lifestyle and this is why the high desirability to have a pool is absolutely up there,” she says.
However, when home buyer habits on Domain are drilled down by capital, some cities did not have pool at number one. Hobart was one – understandably- and Canberra, the other.
In both of these markets, “view” was the most frequently typed keyword.
Study has slipped down the ranking compared to previous years, due to the “short-lived” pandemic focus of working from home.
“Have a study is not as urgent as it once was,” Dr Powell says.
Dr Powell says the entry of “art deco” in the top 20 marks a buyer trend.
“It has debuted nationally at number 12 – and when you look at Melbourne, art deco and heritage are in the top ten and have risen through the ranks,” she says.
“I think it says a lot about the buyer.
“Melbourne has had great buying conditions and what it is showing us is that art deco, and heritage homes, tend to be more established, they are in more affluent areas at a certain price point, and these types of buyers are looking at now as a great time to purchase.”
In Sydney, the highest-value capital, “granny flat” has dropped in at number two, and ranks fourth nationally.
“It is really speaks to the strain in Sydney’s housing market and the rise in multigenerational living,” Dr Powell says. “Adult children are staying home much longer and we are using our homes differently.”
Homes with sensational pools on the market right now
Ohana House, privately tucked outside Byron Bay, is the work of Virginia Kerridge. Seven Mile Beach is a short walk away, but the resort-style pool should suffice.
By architect Kerry Hill, the home has a deck-encased pool which reflects natures tones and blends the water’s edge with the harbour beyond.
Luxurious and yet rooted in its surrounds and respect for nature, Copperstone is an unforgettable estate, with stables, a pool house and a beach.
The round, riverfront pool is pure romance, surrounded by a gazebo for drinking in the location (with drink in hand).
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