The data shows that Aussies love a home with all the mod cons, but a surge in certain keywords highlights major trends that could shape the property market for years to come.
Keyword search data shows that ‘swimming pool’ topped the list of the most searched keywords once again in 2025, cementing its place as the number one feature Australian home buyers want in a home.
Pools have proven perennially popular, especially among established families, and the feature routinely tops the list of the most popular inclusions buyers are searching for.
But a swimming pool is not for everyone, and depending on the target market of a property, pools can either add significant value or deter buyers concerned about maintenance and safety.
It was closely followed by ‘garage’, indicating that many buyers prioritise a place to park their car, store their gear, or perhaps even start a business.
| Rank | Keyword |
| 1 | Swimming pool |
| 2 | Garage |
| 3 | Air conditioning |
| 4 | Ensuite |
| 5 | Outdoor area |
| 6 | Single storey |
| 7 | Balcony |
| 8 | Built in robes |
| 9 | Dishwasher |
| 10 | Heating |
Garages remain a requirement for many buyers, with 91% of households having at least one car and 55% of households having two or more, according to ABS data.
There were about 560,000 more registered motor vehicles in January 2025 than the year prior, according to data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics.
‘Air conditioning’ came in third place, which is unsurprising considering that 2023, 2024 and 2025 were the three hottest years on record.
Other popular searches included ‘ensuite’, ‘built in robes’ and ‘dishwasher’, suggesting these are essentials for many buyers.
Analysis of the keywords with the biggest increase in searches in the past 12 months reveals significant trends that could shape property markets in the years ahead.
The search term with the biggest increase was ‘single storey’, with the number of searches rising by 72%.
| Keyword | % change in searches | |
| 1 | Single storey | 72% |
| 2 | Dual income | 72% |
| 3 | Elevator | 68% |
| 4 | Open fireplace | 55% |
| 5 | Step free entry | 53% |
| 6 | Wide doorways | 53% |
| 7 | STCA | 39% |
| 8 | Corner block | 32% |
| 9 | Dual occupancy | 31% |
| 10 | Dual living | 29% |
Similarly-themed searches with big increases include ‘elevator’ (up 68%), ‘step free entry’ (up 53%) and ‘wide doorways’ (up 53%).
Single-storey and step-free homes help provide ease of access for residents as mobility declines in old age, while homes with wide doorways can help accommodate mobility aids such as wheelchairs.
ABS population projections estimate the number of people in Australia aged 65 and over will more than double in the next 40 years to 10.56 million, increasing from 17.8% of the population today to 24.3% in 2065.
Most older people want to remain in their homes as they get older, rather than moving into residential aged care, according to the Royal Commission into Aged Care final report.
The rise in these accessibility-focused search terms suggest an increasing number of buyers are focused on finding ‘forever homes’ that can meet their mobility needs now and into the future.
Other search terms on the rise include ‘dual income’ (up 72%), ‘dual occupancy’ (up 31%) and ‘dual living’ (up 29%).
These indicate that many buyers were seeking properties designed for multigenerational living, with separate living places for grandparents, extended family or adult children.
Alternatively, some buyers may be looking for homes that could provide them with multiple income streams by renting out separate parts of the property.
Meanwhile, an increasing number of entrepreneurial buyers are looking for homes with development potential, with a 31% rise in searches for ‘STCA’ (subject to council approval).
Listings often highlight a property's development potential, with the phrase ‘subject to council approval’ signalling that any potential changes will need formal planning consent from the relevant authority.
There was also a 29% increase in searches for ‘corner block’. Properties on corner blocks often have increased development potential or subdivision flexibility by allowing for dual street frontages to accommodate multiple dwellings on one block.
The different search terms that are on the rise across the capitals also reveal the varied priorities buyers have in each city.
In Sydney, searches for ‘metro’ increased by 85%, impying more buyers were keen on purchasing near the recently-expanded Sydney Metro public transport system that allows rapid travel to the CBD.
Searches for ‘court’ rose by 96% in Melbourne, suggesting almost twice as many people are looking for properties with tennis or basketball courts.
In Brisbane the number of searches for ‘ducted’ almost tripled, with more buyers in Australia’s second-hottest capital seeking homes with air conditioning systems that run through the whole house.
Searches for ‘acreage’ in Brisbane rose by 57%, indicating many buyers want properties with plenty of land.
Perth buyers are increasingly looking for premium properties, with a 94% rise in searches for ‘water view’ and an 84% increase in searches for ‘brand new’.
More buyers in Adelaide were looking for investment properties that could generate income straight away, with a 106% rise in searches for ‘tenanted’.
Similarly, there was a 239% increase in searches for ‘furnished’ in Darwin, suggesting more buyers were looking for properties that could easily be rented to the city’s transient worker population, potentially for a higher return.
Searches for ‘heritage’ surged by 231% in Hobart, hinting that vintage homes with historical significance are in high demand.
Finally, Canberrans appear to be focused on outdoor living, with a 241% rise in searches for ‘garden’, while searches for ‘fully fenced’ were up 78% and searches for 'courtyard’ were up 62%.
Homes with the features that buyers are increasingly looking for may be highly sought-after in the year ahead.
This could potentially give vendors of homes with these features with a point of difference that may help boost their sale price.
