If you’re ready to move on, move up, or downsize, it’s a great time to sell your home. Demand for available homes to buy is still high, while inventory of available homes for sale is low. So what are today’s buyers looking for in their new home?
Before you list your home for sale, take a look at the top home features buyers want. By knowing what buyers are looking for, you can put your home’s most desirable features in the spotlight. You can also decide if there are any changes or upgrades you’d like to make to your home’s features before listing, so you can get absolute top dollar for your home on closing day.
Features First-Time Home Buyers Want
According to the 2020 International Builders’ Show, the top features first time home buyers want include a laundry room, hardwood flooring for the living areas of the main floor, Energy Star windows, a walk-in pantry, and a patio.
Let’s look at each of these features below, and a few others that today’s home buyers are searching for.
Laundry Room
Home buyers have practicality first and foremost on their minds. Having a separate space just for laundry is important as it keeps the messy, dirty clothes piles contained to one space.
Don’t have a laundry room in your home? As this tops the list of home features buyers want, it may be worth the effort to install one in your home before selling. The basement is usually the easiest and most cost-effective place to add in a laundry room.
If you do have a laundry room, look into some simple upgrades to make it even better. Consider practical upgrades like more storage space, a surface to fold clothes, or a small sink for hand washing garments. You can also add in some fun upgrades like a pop of paint color, stick-on wallpaper, or a few extra pieces of decor.
Hardwood Flooring
The next feature many home buyers want is hardwood flooring, specifically on the living areas of the main floor. Buyers today are looking for beauty and quality, both of which hardwood floors are known for.
If you’ve got hardwood floors covered up by carpet or other flooring, it’s time to expose them again! Give them a good refinishing and let them shine to prospective buyers.
Energy Star Windows
Another feature that’s high on the list of what home buyers are looking for are energy efficient windows. Energy efficient windows can save big money on utility bills — an average of $101 to $583 a year. They also help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is a priority for many new homeowners.
You can also look into other energy efficient upgrades such as your home’s major appliances. If they need replacing anyway, go with Energy Star options.
Walk-In Pantry
A large walk-in pantry is another desirable feature that home buyers want. People love convenience, and having your dry goods just steps away when you need them is a great help in the kitchen. A walk-in pantry also keeps clutter away from your countertops and cabinets.
Today’s home buyers are also prioritizing preparedness, especially after the pandemic and effects on the nation’s supply chain. Having a walk-in pantry allows room for more space to buy in bulk and stock up on basic household necessities.
A fun way to highlight your walk-in pantry is with different organizing bins and containers. You can even find great options at dollar stores to really make your budget stretch.
Patio
Many home buyers today desire a space to entertain their family and friends, so if your home has a nice patio, be sure to highlight that in the listing.
If you have the extra cash to spare, adding some fun outdoor features like a fire pit and a nice seating area can pay off big time when you sell. String up some lights around the patio to really play it up.
Neutral Paint
If you haven’t already given your home a neutral paint job throughout, it’s a great idea to do it before you sell. It’s one of the simplest ways to increase your home’s desirability, and it’s a project you can DIY (if you’re up for it.) A light gray is a great, modern shade to choose.
Freshly painted walls also give your home a cleaner look, so it’s a win-win when you’re ready to sell.
Updated Kitchen and Bathrooms
Today’s home buyers want move-in ready homes, and an updated kitchen and bathrooms make a big first impression.
According to Homelight, the average amount it takes to upgrade a kitchen ranges from $13,498 to $30,088, so definitely talk to your realtor before deciding if a big remodel is right for you. There may be some small changes you could make to spruce up the room’s appeal, like replacing cabinet hardware, installing a backsplash, or painting your cabinets instead of replacing them.
Already have a modern, upgraded kitchen and/or bathrooms? Be sure to get excellent photos and highlight those home features in the sales listing.
Other Desirable Home Features Buyers Want
Want to really make your home stand out? Smart features (think smart lighting, thermostats, and cameras) are popular with millennials and younger generations. The convenience of controlling most functions of your home with a smartphone app is hard to beat!
A few other notable features buyers want in a home (in no particular order) include a front porch, ceiling fans, a double kitchen sink, and exterior lighting [source].
Return on Investment
When considering the top home features buyers want, it’s easy to want to start making renovations to improve your home’s appeal. But you always need to consider the ROI – return on investment – before tackling any big projects.
If you plan to keep living in your current home for a decent amount of time, then certain home renovations may make more sense than if you plan to sell right away. It really just depends on your specific home, its value, and the value of surrounding homes in the neighborhood. Be sure to talk with your realtor about what upgrades to make before selling – if any.
By looking at the different home features that buyers want, we can tell what values people are searching for when buying their new homes. Buyers want to save money and help the environment with energy efficient windows. They want a nice space to relax and entertain outdoors on their patio. They want practicalities like a space to stock up food and a space to clean their clothes. And they want good looking, quality flooring that will last for years to come.
What features make your home stand out? What are those top features you can really make shine when it’s time to sell?
If you’re ready to sell your home in the Placer county area (or if you’re searching for your next dream home) let our team at Quantum Real Estate help. Our team of real estate experts would love to work with you! Simply click here to contact us. We can’t wait to meet you.
