Page 20 - Builder Brief December 2025

T R E N D S
WHICH HOME
FEATURES ADD THE
MOST VALUE?
Single-family home values are determined
by numerous factors, including location and the
neighborhood in which they’re built. But a home’s
physical features are among the most influential on
home buyers.
The latest study from the American Housing Survey
(AHS) revealed just how much influence key physical
details on a home have — giving builders a peek inside
the minds of their clients.
Home Size
Obviously, the size of the home plays a large role in
determining how much it’s worth, especially as more
buyers are using their homes as not only a living space
but a working one, too.
Homes that are between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet
are valued about 17% higher than those under 1,000
square feet. Homes between 2,000-3,000 square feet
saw around a 30% increase in value, and the largest
homes of 3,000 square feet or more skyrocketed to
55% more in value. (Data accounts for differences in
region, age of structure and more.)
Bathrooms
The number of bathrooms in a home are extremely
important in today’s market; the AHS survey shows they
impact home value even more than bedrooms. Each
full bathroom increases home value by approximately
32% compared to just 5% for an additional bedroom. A
half-bathroom adds an estimated 15% value.
Age of Home
Buyers are placing a lot of stock in newer homes,
likely because of their improvements in energy efficiency
and insulation as well as their more modern building
systems. Homes built between 2010 and 2019 have
13% higher value than those built prior to 2010. The
newest homes built after 2020 are valued 19% higher.
Garages, Fireplaces and Centralized Air
Conditioning
Garages and fireplaces each add around 10%
value to a home. Garages are crucial because they
add protected parking spaces but can also serve as
additional hobby space. Fireplaces are not only an aesthetic
add but, in some areas, can reduce heating costs.
Centralized air conditioning (AC) also adds about 7%
value to homes across the country, but has greater impacts
on parts of the U.S. that are influenced by extreme weather
and expensive cooling costs: Centralized AC adds 23%
value in the South Atlantic, 40% value in the East South
Central division, and 48% value in the West South division.
Read more about the features
that add home value in this study
from Na Zhao, NAHB principal
economist.
20 DECEMBER 2025 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION