The features that buyers are looking for seems to change all the time. It feels like yesterday that everyone sought open floor plans, but since COVID ravaged the nation, rooms with doors are all the rage! Wanting privacy is totally understandable after being stuck in the house for months on end.
It’s pretty safe to say that once things return to normal (whatever that may look like), buyers are going to be interested in different features and amenities. However, here are 4 features that buyers want to see, no matter what the homebuyer and seller trends may be.
1. Dedicated laundry room
If you’re like other people, laundry is probably on the list of chores we hate doing - especially if you have to go to a laundromat or your washer and dryer is in the kitchen! Homebuyers want a dedicated room where they can sort clothes, pre-wash, fold and iron their clothes without taking up space in other areas of the house.
2. Outdoor living spaces
Who doesn’t love a bit of fresh air? Buyers certainly do! Spacious, well manicured yards are desirable for many buyers, especially those who are moving out of an apartment, condo, or even the city. Along with a spacious yard, buyers want outdoor space where they can entertain guests. This could be in the form of a patio, deck, or a pool area.
It’s worth noting that the exterior of the home is the first thing people see when they’re interested in a house. If you’re a seller, curb appeal is going to be a big factor in whether or not potential buyers will want to see the interior!
3. Garages or basements for extra storage
Americans have a lot of stuff. We mean a lot. There’s anywhere between 45,000 to 60,000 storage units across the nation and it’s a $3.9 billion business! So, while storage units may be the ideal place to store your junk, buyers want even more space in their homes. A garage, for example, is the perfect place to store all of your outdoor equipment, tools, bikes and the like (does anyone actually park their cars inside the garage??). A basement can be used to tuck away Christmas decor and out-of-season clothing, but it can also double the home’s living space if it’s finished.
4. Energy efficiencies
Although energy efficiencies in a home helps the environment by reducing emissions produced by power plants, it’s not the reason why people want them. Energy efficient appliances, insulation and windows can reduce the cost of heating and cooling, as well as energy consumption, thus slashing the electric bill.
If you’re going to list your property and have energy efficient appliances and the like, it would be in your best interest to play up these money-saving features!
Home trends change but somethings will always be the same
As a seller, it’s important to remember that everyone has their own requirements that they’re looking for when house hunting. You may have initially bought your house because of the open floor plan, the antique windows and doors and the yard devoid of greenery. However, today’s buyers probably aren’t going to show much interest.
Buying a house is a huge investment, so it’s understandable that buyers aren’t always willing to settle for anything less than what they want. However, if you are willing to shell out some money to put some things that buyers are looking for in a home, you may be surprised by how many more people show interest in your home.
