While homebuyers across the United States may be exercising caution with their purchases, their online browsing habits reveal a persistent and powerful curiosity. Real estate platform Redfin has unveiled its definitive list of the ten most popular homes that captivated the public's imagination in 2025, offering a fascinating snapshot of American housing desires during the year.
The Viral Champion of 2025
The undisputed winner was a spectacular five-bedroom, remodelled Spanish-style estate located in Silicon Valley's Palo Alto. This property achieved viral status online, amassing nearly 35,000 views in a single day before it was snapped up for $5.6 million. This final sale price represented a staggering $740,000 premium over its initial listing price of $4.888 million.
'These homes drew massive attention because they hit the sweet spot buyers are still chasing: they were well-located, move-in ready, and priced in a way that made people feel they had a real shot,' explained Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist. 'Even in a cooler housing market, buyers will swarm listings that offer perceived value — whether that's a renovated home in a high-cost area or a relatively affordable option in an expensive metro.'
Measuring Online Fascination
Redfin determined popularity by calculating a unique metric: the total number of online views a listing received divided by the number of days it was actively on the market before going under contract. For instance, a home listed for two days that attracted 10,000 views would score 5,000 views per day in this ranking system.
Josh Felder, a Redfin Premier agent, highlighted the winning property at 3717 Ortega Court. '2025's most popular home is a prime example of sellers who were able to check all the boxes for a hungry pool of luxury buyers,' he said. The listing itself described the residence as 'nestled in a serene cul-de-sac among grand luxury homes... embodying craftsmanship, refinement, and timeless elegance.'
Fairweather added context: 'The home hit the market in March, which was an extremely hot month for Palo Alto last year, with very little inventory and a lot of pent-up demand for homes in this prestigious neighborhood. Pair that with strategic pricing and marketing, and it's no surprise the listing attracted so much attention.'
A Diverse Top Five
The list revealed a varied set of desirable properties. Rounding out the top five most-popular homes were:
- A tear-down property in Berkeley, California.
- Two relatively affordable homes in the Seattle metropolitan area.
- A historic, century-old farmhouse in Alexandria, Virginia, notably sold by Vice President JD Vance.
Significantly, six of the ten most popular listings ultimately closed for a price above their original asking figure. The analysis showed a clear buyer preference for competitively priced, upscale, and renovated homes situated in desirable neighbourhoods. These properties typically boasted in-demand features such as stainless steel appliances and private backyard spaces.
The Reality of Competition
'Today's buyers tend to have the upper hand and can often negotiate for concessions, but for in-demand homes in hot markets, that's not the case,' the report noted. Yingqi Xu, a Redfin senior economist, elaborated: 'Thousands of people — from serious buyers to daydreamers — visited these homes online. But just one buyer gets to make a home their own. While bidding wars seem like a distant memory, this list shows that for the most desirable homes at attractive prices, there are plenty of interested buyers willing to go head-to-head and pay top dollar.'
Spotlight on Other Popular Listings
The list featured several other noteworthy properties that captured significant attention:
Washington State Highlights
- 11333 204th Ave NE, Redmond, WA: Marketed as a 'private haven on an acre plus in a prime Redmond location' for seekers, investors, and builders.
- 11031 Elliston Way NE, Redmond, WA: Described as move-in ready near the Trilogy Golf Course and in the highly-rated Lake Washington school district.
- 4741 119th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA: A home in Lake Heights promoted for its 'hard to find big lot in a great location with lots of potential.'
- 14325 81st Ct NE, Kirkland, WA: A 'luxurious Kirkland home in a quiet neighborhood! Totally refreshed, just like new!'
- 525 164th Pl SE, Bothell, WA: Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac with convenient park access and proximity to Mill Creek Town Center.
- 1254 151st Ave SE, Bellevue, WA: Boasting a spacious open-concept living area with a fireplace and new cedar deck.
California and Virginia Entries
- 642 McDuff Ave, Fremont, CA: A 'North Facing Fully Remodeled House' in the Warm Spring Neighborhood with top-rated schools.
- 9 E Del Ray Ave, Alexandria, VA: The historic farmhouse offering an 'ideal blend of traditional Alexandria charm combined with modern updates.'
- 2220 Rose St, Berkeley, CA: A multi-family home on a sizable lot, which last sold in February 2025 for $395,000 but had an estimated value over $1.3 million.
Factors Influencing Popularity and Seller Strategy
The report emphasised that a home's online popularity depends on a multitude of factors. Local advertising, population size, neighbourhood appeal, the marketing agent, seasonality, local competition, and overall housing inventory all play crucial roles in driving views to a listing.
This insight is critical in a market where many sellers struggle to attract interest, facing a pricing environment that excludes numerous potential buyers and can leave properties languishing. The success stories from 2025 demonstrate that capturing attention is the first vital step.
'And there are ways to increase your chances of snagging a sale, starting with getting more eyes on your listing,' Redfin advised. Proven methods to boost visibility and appeal include:
- Listing the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database.
- Hiring a professional photographer for high-quality visuals.
- Working with an experienced and well-connected estate agent.
- Setting a competitive and strategic initial asking price.
- Remaining open to reasonable buyer concessions during negotiations.
For sellers aiming for a swift sale, additional recommendations are to list during the traditionally active spring season, maximise curb appeal, stage the interior effectively, and incorporate those highly sought-after modern features that today's buyers consistently desire.
