5 Hottest Features Buyers Want To See In Their Home

Across the country, people are spending more and more time at home, and that is creating a unique situation for buyers and sellers. What people are looking for in their next home in 2021 is a bit different than what they might have wanted in years past. The features at the top of home buyers’ lists are all about comfort, convenience, and enjoying home dining and entertaining — especially as people are anticipating warmer temperatures on the horizon. The real estate experts at HomeLight recently interviewed more than 1,000 agents across the country to see the trends that they are noticing in their markets. Among their insights are the five features that buyers want for their homes in 2021. Here are some that are at the top of people’s lists: 

Updated basics

When it comes to buying a home one of the top features that people are always looking for are updated floors, bathrooms, and walls. That doesn’t mean that everything needs to be brand new, but remnants of the past such as popcorn ceilings, shag carpets, and unusual color schemes for walls, should be replaced with neutral tones for ceiling and walls, streamlined floors (such as wood, composite, tile, or updated carpet), and no carpet in bathrooms. Making these changes can equal a huge difference for selling your home. 

Bathrooms that mix form and function  

In the era of Covid-19, bathrooms are doing double duty with everyone at home for remote work and school, and that means not only updating these spaces, but transforming them into sanctuaries. One of the top bathroom upgrades that buyers are looking for now is a double sink, as 65 percent of agents noted in the survey. Other features that are high on people’s lists are a rain shower head (39 percent), or an expanded linen closet (29 percent of agents reported). Agents are also noting that decorative tiling is also highly desirable. 

Chef-ready kitchens

Remodeled kitchens are always hot, with stainless steel, updated cabinets, and granite countertops, but now, buyers want other features for top functionality, like enhanced lighting and workspaces, like a center island, as 64 percent of agents noted. 

Outdoor kitchens

With more time at home in 2021, outdoor entertaining is getting an upgrade, and people are looking to go all out with outdoor kitchens, as 46 percent of agents noted it at the top of people’s lists of desirable home features. These kitchens go beyond outdoor grills to include sinks, bars, and even, an outdoor fridge. 

Outdoor privacy and comfort

Outdoor spaces are more than just backyards, they are becoming an extension of people’s homes. Following that, buyers want these spaces to be not only private, with hedges or a fence (as a key feature according to 48 percent of agents), but also cozy, with a fire pit high on people’s lists, according to 54 percent of agents in the survey.

As sellers, it might be tempting to think that you need to make all of these upgrades, but the best strategy is to work with your agent to determine which ones are best for your home and return on investment, while keeping buyers’ interests in mind.

Insulating Your Crawl Space: Everything You Need To Know

The crawl space often doesn’t receive much attention when it comes to home improvement. One crawl space upgrade that you should consider, however, is updated insulation. To learn about why insulation is important, what insulation materials to use, and more, here’s everything you need to know about insulating your crawl space.

The Importance of Insulating Your Crawl Space

• Reduces energy costs: You can lose a significant amount of hot and cold air through the crawl space in one’s home. As a result, your HVAC system will have to work harder to regulate the temperature, ultimately resulting in higher monthly energy bills. By improving the insulation in your crawl space, you can reduce these costs.

• Enhances comfort: By improving the insulation in your crawl space, you can prevent uncomfortable drafts and temperature fluctuations in your home.

• Prevents pests: Depending on the material you choose, upgrading the insulation in your crawl space can help seal off small crevices and keep out pests.

Best Insulation Materials for Crawl Spaces

Now that you understand the importance of insulating your crawl space, it’s time to choose the best insulation materials for your area. Ideally, the insulation material you choose should have a high R-value to block the transfer of heat. It should also be long-lasting so that you don’t have to worry about replacing it often. In addition, the material should have moisture-resistant properties to prevent mold and mildew growth in notoriously damp and leaky crawl spaces. Insulation materials with these qualities include polystyrene and closed-cell spray foam insulation.

How To Prepare a Crawl Space for Insulation

Upon choosing your insulation material, all you have to do is prepare your crawl space for the installation process. Doing so is relatively simple and primarily involves clearing out the space as much as possible. This will make it easier for the installation contractors to move around and cover every nook and cranny. It is also important to waterproof your crawl space, as water accumulation can damage the insulation material over time.

Should You Clean or Replace Your Carpet?

Carpets are essentials part of the home. They make any room feel cozier and homier. Regularly cleaning your carpets is important, but sometimes it can be hard to tell whether you should clean or replace your carpet. This guide will help you determine whether professional cleaning or replacement is the best option for your carpet.

Signs You Should Clean Your Carpet

It Appears Stained or Dirty

Carpets tend to accumulate bits of debris quickly, becoming dirtier than your other furniture. If your carpet appears dirty, it means that the filth has worked itself into the carpet’s fibers and that the carpet is already overdue for a cleaning. If your carpet has a stain, don’t panic—a professional carpet cleaner can often remove even the most stubborn of stains.

It Smells

If you notice that your carpet smells, it’s time to get it cleaned. Carpets can acquire an odor over time, especially if you have pets or messy children. As with dirt and stains, a proper professional cleaning can usually remove bad odors from carpets.

You’ve Never Had It Professionally Cleaned

If you can’t remember the last time you had your carpet professionally cleaned, it needs a professional cleaning, whether you realize it or not. You should have someone clean your carpet at least once a year.

Signs You Should Replace Your Carpet

Permanent Stains

Professional cleaning is usually effective for removing stains from carpet, but sometimes the stains are just too deeply engrained. If you’ve tried both steam-cleaning and dry carpet cleaning with no luck, it’s time to cut your losses and replace the carpet.

Persisting Smell

Similarly, odors in your carpet are sometimes irreversible. If a professional cleaner is unable to remove the stench from your carpet, replacement is the better option.

Wear and Tear

A professional cleaning can do wonders for your carpet, but unsurprisingly, it does nothing to fix wear and tear. If your carpet is old and worn out to the point that you can see it beginning to matt or shred, it’s time to get a replacement. When checking your carpets for wear and tear, be sure to check all parts of the rug, including the rug pad, which can also become worn over time.

The next time you notice your carpet is dirty, consider whether you should clean or replace your carpet. A professional cleaning can often rescue smelly or stained carpets, which is much less expensive than entirely replacing the carpet. But sometimes, replacement is the only option. Weigh your options, and decide which investment is best for your home.

The 4 Top Reasons to Organize Your Garage

When a home starts to accumulate clutter, the garage is often the first area to fill up. This is because it’s easier to simply toss things out of sight than to sift through and organize them. However, if you want this space to be functional, you must take the steps necessary to clean it. These are some of the top reasons to organize your garage.

You Can Find Things

Removing the excess items from your garage and organizing what’s left allows you to find things more easily. Unfortunately, it can take hours to locate certain objects in a packed garage—time that you could spend on something more productive. Putting each of your tools in a proper place is a great way to get started.

It Saves You Money and Space

The proper methods for organizing your garage also help you save space and money. Often, we end up buying replacements for things we thought were lost. By taking the time to organize this area, you’re not only saving yourself from unnecessary spending, but condensing things so they take up less room. You’ll no longer need to worry about this space feeling crowded.

Your Belongings Are Better Protected

Another of the top reasons to organize your garage is that your personal items will be safer and more protected. When things get lost in a sea of clutter, they can become damaged. Cords can get tangled, blades can dull, and batteries can die. Fortunately, keeping these tools in cases or cabinets can help protect them and increase their overall lifespan.

The Area Poses Fewer Safety Hazards

Most importantly, a clean garage means fewer risks to you and your family’s safety. Clutter can cause accidents including trips, falls, and gashes should you stumble on something sharp. Organize your garage before someone sustains a preventable injury.