House Hunting Season: 6 Key Trends That Search Reveals

Those searchers likely won’t be buying right away, and they’re being selective about whom they work with. According to a Google Consumer Survey conducted in April:

• Half of people begin their formal home search 6–12 months in advance, with about three-quarters starting within a year of the purchase.
• Two in three researched prospective agents extensively online prior to working with them.

It’s no surprise that people devote a lot of time and research to buying a home—it’s a major life event. On top of that, it’s likely to happen around other significant moments. For example, people searching about real estate listings are 5x more likely to search about planning for retirement and 4x more likely search about finding child care. These consumers are dealing with a lot of change, and it’s in these moments that shopping habits and brand loyalties shift dramatically. People will buy things they’ve never shopped for (or even knew existed). In this way, big decisions can trigger many smaller ones for years to come. While real estate brokers should care about home buyers, so should CPG brands, luxury retailers, financial services companies and more.

Millennials are (finally!) eyeing to buy

Millennials have been notoriously slow to enter the housing market. "This demographic in particular has been a key part of the missing demand since the recovery began," says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Realtor.com. "As a result of the economic challenges, an increasing number of millennials doubled up with roommates or moved back in with parents and family." Data shows that there’s reason to be optimistic, though.

• When asked if they planned to purchase a home in the next year, 18–34-year-olds were twice as likely as 35–54-year-olds to say yes (Google Consumer Survey, July 2014).
• Millennial real estate web usage grew 30% from May 2013 to July 2014, and millennial real estate mobile usage grew 81% over the same period, according to an analysis by Smoke of comScore Media-Metrix data.
• A full half of all millennials in the U.S. visited real estate web sites in July and 36% visited real estate web sites or apps on mobile devices, according to Smoke’s analysis. That means millennials are more than twice as likely as the average person in the U.S. to explore real estate information on a mobile device.

"Looking at trends in web traffic, it is clear that mobile usage and real estate visits are increasing for millennials," says Smoke. "It is likely that we are on the cusp of millennials starting to emerge from mom and dad’s basement."

Not only is this demographic more likely to use the web, especially mobile, in their search but millennials also spend longer researching a home purchase. When asked how far in advance of a purchase/sale they’d plan to begin a formal search, 83% of 18–34-year-olds said more than six months (versus 73% for those older than 35), per our April Google Consumer Survey. They also have different priorities. Compared to other buyers, millennials care more about aspects such as neighborhood, school district and high-speed internet-ready homes, according to a Move.com survey of U.S. online home searchers conducted in May.

Buyers are using mobile search to find a home

Millennials aren’t the only ones using mobile. As the market heats up, more and more house hunters are relying on their smartphones to stay competitive. In June, mobile phones accounted for 27% of total searches related to buying a home—up 19% since last year. "You do see the need to act on listings quickly if you are looking to buy," says Smoke. The immediacy of mobile helps people stay on top of the market in real time.

• Most people would use their mobile device to do at least one of the following: search for listings, find directions to a house, look for more information on a listing, call or e-mail an agent directly, or watch a video while out looking for a home (Google Consumer Survey, April 2014).
• Searches related to home buying are highest over the weekend when people are likely out touring neighborhoods and visiting open houses (Google Data).
• Mobile queries for open houses grew 36% in June YoY, while desktop searches remained the same (Google Data).
• House hunters used their mobile device most to search for listings and find directions while out looking for a home (Google Consumer Survey, April 2014).

Smartphones and tablets are the tech of choice at home, too. Usage climbs steadily throughout the day and reaches its peak at night—mobile at 6:00 p.m. and tablet at 11:00 p.m (ET)—after the kids have gone to bed and parents have time to catch up.

When potential buyers see a house they like, their first question is often "Can I afford it?" Increasingly, they're using mobile to do the math. So far this year, one-quarter of Google searches for mortgages have been on mobile devices, and terms such as "mortgage calculator" make up half of those searches.

Clearly, the place to reach home buyers is on mobile. Marketers can help them find what they’re looking for through mobile ads, and extensions such as location and click-to-call take this a step further.

Video is also an important opportunity on mobile, with one in five future home buyers indicating they'd use a mobile device to watch a video (Google Consumer Survey, April 2014). On top of that, views of real estate videos are up 13% YoY on YouTube. Often, these are home tour videos that let prospective buyers get a room-by-room view of a listing.

More are using search to find a mobile home

While the American dream of homeownership is alive and well, the type of homes people are looking for is changing. Over the past few years, there’s been a palpable shift from big and sprawling to small and versatile. Mobile homes and small houses are an increasingly desirable option that could be the ticket to financial freedom. According to Google data:

• "Mobile home"-related searches have been on the rise since 2011.
• Interest in the "small house movement" has been climbing since 2004.
• Related searches for "loft" and "townhouse" have been declining over the past decade.

This interest in mobile homes is being driven by "downsizing retirees and skyrocketing real-estate prices in certain areas, which are prompting more people to consider trailer living a (relatively) affordable option," according to the Wall Street Journal.

These aren’t your parents mobile homes, though. Some are attracting wealthy buyers with upscale amenities such as hardwood floors, high-end appliances and granite countertops. In Malibu, mobile homes have sold for millions of dollars.

Google Search data helps to paint a picture of these home buyers:

• People searching for "small house" show a spirit of DIY independence. They are 3x more likely to search for gardening, 8x more likely to search for woodworking and 4x more likely to search for knitting.
• People searching for "mobile home" are more outdoorsy, 5x more likely to search for "hiking," 4x more likely to search for "bird watching" and 4x more likely to search for "outdoor."

These related interests can help inform co-marketing opportunities, messaging, cross-promotions, events and so on.

Prospective buyers are already thinking about interior design

Even before they’ve bought a home, people start thinking about how to decorate it. Many of those searching for real estate listings are also looking for interior design ideas. In fact, someone who is searching about buying a home is 4x more likely to search for furniture than someone who isn’t.

Decorators aren’t necessarily new home buyers. Many existing owners are also looking to upgrade and increase their home equity. Both are turning to the web for inspiration. In a January Google Consumer Survey, 68% of people who had completed a home improvement project in the previous three months said they began their project by researching online.

We’re seeing this play out on Google platforms, especially video and mobile. According to Google data:

• Home improvement videos on YouTube are growing 35% July YoY and watchtime is growing 77%.
• YouTube views in the Homemaking & Interior Decor category have grown 62% in June YoY.
• Mobile demand for home project queries is up 69% YoY (versus 11% on desktop).

Home decorators are looking for one-of-a-kind vintage items

Eschewing flashy styles and cookie-cutter designs, people are looking to fill their homes with one-of-a-kind character and personality. So, rather than buy what everyone else has, they’re gravitating toward vintage furniture. Google Search data shows there’s more interest in "vintage" and "antique" than any other styles in the furniture category. And if people can’t find (or afford) what they want, they figure out how to fake it. The most common question on Google related to vintage furniture is "how to make furniture look vintage."

Six keys to unlocking opportunities with today’s home buyers

Home buyers are dealing with a lot of change, and their shopping habits and brand loyalties will likely shift dramatically. It’s an opportunity for brands in real estate, CPG, luxury, financial services and more to strongly influence their purchasing decisions. The key is knowing where consumers are and what they’re looking for and then responding accordingly. Here are six trends to remember:

• Every year, searches for real estate-related terms peak in July—a sign that people are out house hunting. Be there to meet this seasonal rise in demand. Remind them throughout the long process with remarketing.
• Millennials are likely to make their long-awaited entrance into market soon. Understand what this audience cares about and appeal to them with relevant messaging.
• More people (especially millennials) are relying on mobile devices throughout the process—from finding a home to financing it. Help them find what they’re looking for through mobile ads and extensions such as location and click-to-call.
• Small and mobile homes are becoming an appealing option, even for high-income buyers. Think about ways you can address this new, growing market. Explore Search data to learn what else interests these consumers and use it to shape co-marketing opportunities, cross-promotions, creative executions and media buys.
• While they’re looking for homes, people are also looking for interior design ideas, often turning to video for inspiration. Post home tour videos to YouTube to make it easy for them to get an in-depth look at listings.
• Vintage is all the rage in interior design. Help people get that retro, one-of-a-kind look with the products you offer and the content you create.