Selling a home is not always easy. Homebuyers can be picky – they often know exactly what they want and won’t settle for anything less. Some homes spend years on the market before finding their buyers. This is why a seller should take into consideration all the factors that impact a home’s value and desirability in order to meet potential home buyers’ expectations. In addition to factors such as location and size, there are certain home features today’s buyers need more than others. So, let’s analyze today’s buyers’ needs and preferences and help you sell your home faster and get a better price.
Home features today’s buyers need
Functionality
Good examples of popular home features that add functionality are multi-use rooms and open concept floor plans.
As the name implies, multi-use or multi-purpose rooms serve more than one purpose. For example, the same room can serve as a guest room and a home office, or as a living and dining room. Multi-use rooms are a highly desired home feature among today’s buyers who cannot afford more square footage.
An open floor plan has become a desirable home feature in the past couple of decades. Before the 1990s, most homes had compartmentalized floor plans. That is no longer a desired home feature. An open concept floor plan creates free-flowing space, which is great for entertaining and interacting with guests and watching over children. Also, it lets more natural light inside.
Energy-efficient home features today’s buyers need
Nowadays, home buyers are more aware of the importance of saving energy than ever before. Whether they wish to protect the environment or limit their utility bills, energy effectiveness has become a high priority. Buyers are careful with large investments, and they should be. They know the cost of relocation assistance in advance, they know how much other homes in the area are worth, and they know how much money these appliances can save them in the long run. Energy-efficient windows, furnaces, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and other appliances are some of the things you can invest in before putting your home on the market. Another feature many buyers find important is central air conditioning, so why not make it energy-efficient, too? Energy-efficient appliances are worth the additional expense.
Kitchen and bathroom features
Perhaps you’ve heard that kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that sell homes. Today’s home buyers usually want to avoid renovations. They would rather call Professionals and move in as soon as possible. Some of the home features today’s buyers need in their new kitchen are a large kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast nook, plenty of storage space, wine coolers, etc. When it comes to bathrooms, the must-have features include free-standing soaker tubs, walk-in showers, plenty of storage space, a timeless design, double vanities, linen closets, medicine cabinets, etc.
A timeless design is one of the home features today’s buyers need.
Smart home features today’s buyers need
Today’s buyers want their homes to keep up with modern technology. This is particularly important for millennial buyers. Smart home features are usually used for temperature control, security, and lighting. The following are some of the most popular homes features today’s buyers need in terms of technology:
- Programmable thermostats that can be controlled via a mobile device
- Key-less locks which can be controlled via Bluetooth
- Timed irrigation systems are also among the features today’s home buyers need
- Whole-home speaker systems
Laundry room
This is one of the top features today’s home buyers want. A separate room for washing, folding and ironing clothes is a huge advantage in the eyes of a potential home buyer. Although the most desired place for a laundry room is the first floor, sellers who don’t already have a laundry room should consider adding one in the basement. In most homes, the basement is the cheapest and easiest place to build a laundry room.
Exterior features today’s home buyers need
Make sure you pay attention to the exterior of the home you are selling as well. Neglecting the outdoor space is a mistake you don’t want to make. In addition, to curb appeal, the backyard area is just as important to buyers as the inside of the house. They often imagine themselves spending sunny afternoons with their family and neighbors relaxing in their backyard with a cool drink in their hands. A few of the most desired outdoor home features include attached decks, swimming pools, fire pits, balconies, patios, outdoor kitchens, and fenced yards. Do not forget about the exterior of the house. There are many desirable features you can add here.
To conclude
Making a home appeal to today’s buyers is not that simple. There are so many things to take into account. Knowing what home features they are interested in takes you one step closer to your goal. If the home you are selling has many of the above features, it is likely to sell faster and for more money. Investing a small fortune in a home you want to sell doesn’t always make sense. However, a cheaper remodeling project, if done properly, might do wonders for attracting potential buyers. In case you are not exactly sure what your home needs to attract buyers before you start staging your home for sale, consult an experienced real estate professional. With professional advice, home buyers will be standing in line in front of your home in no time.