What are buyers looking for in a home?

Before making the decision to buy, people shopping for homes consider hundreds of factors. They include location of the house, the school district, size of the lot and also interior features. A homeowner who knows what home features today’s home buyers want will put themselves in a much better position when it comes time to complete their next home improvement or remodeling project. By knowing what today’s home buyer is looking for when it comes to home features can save a lot of valuable time on the open real estate market and can also lead to a higher sale price. Here’s what’s getting the attention from potential buyers these days.

#1. Luxurious Bathrooms

An updated bathroom is however, one of the most desired home features for today’s home buyers. Coveted bathroom features include whirlpool tubs, separate shower enclosures, multiple showerheads, generous linen closets, dressing areas, and double sinks. Buyers also expect multiple bathrooms. There are many low cost ways to update a bath, including New Vanity, New Medicine Cabinet, New Plumbing Fixtures, New Bathtub/Shower Surround, Updated Light Fixtures, Clean and Organized Linen Closet(s) etc.

#2. Updated Kitchen

The kitchen is a major focal point for home buyers. Many of the features homeowners desire involve the kitchen. They include stainless steel appliances and a kitchen island. Some of today’s home buyers will elect to not even look at a home that has old counters, cabinets, or flooring.  There are many ways to update a kitchen without breaking the piggy bank. Knowing what the current trends are for kitchens is extremely important to keep in mind when completing any remodel or update. Low cost kitchen updates can reduce the amount of time a home takes to sell significantly and also potentially increase the sale price. Low cost kitchen updates include Fresh Paint, Re-staining or Refinishing Kitchen Cabinetry, New Kitchen Cabinet Hardware, New Light Fixtures, New Plumbing Fixtures, New Sink etc.

#3. Home Technologies

Today’s buyers are looking for homes that are well-designed with more space in central living areas, great flow and clever, built-in storage. Smaller, smart homes are what tech-savvy buyers want especially millennial buyers. They are all about respect for the environment, conserving energy and high-tech homes. Each year there are more techno-gadgets and appliances we just can’t live without. Buyers expect a house to have plenty of well-located phone jacks, electrical outlets, and cable/internet connections.

#4. Energy Efficiency Features

Today’s home buyers are also desiring many home features that could be considered as “going green.” Whether it’s because a home buyer wants to save on their utility bills or because they are concerned with protecting the environment, it’s important to understand what “green” home features today’s home buyers are looking for. With fossil fuel prices headed skyward, buyers now want homes that will save them money on energy bills every day. Think beyond programmable thermostats and Energy Star appliances: buyers are getting excited about unsexy features like heat recovery ventilators, ground source heat pumps, tankless water heaters, solar panels, and low-emissivity, argon-filled windows.

#5. Central Air Conditioning.

Two of the most important features within a home are heating and air conditioning systems. Central air conditioning was considered “very important” by more than 60% of people in all age groups. Certain types of HVAC systems don’t allow for central air conditioning to be installed, such as baseboard or radiant. If able, installing a central air conditioning unit is a good idea as it can increase the number of potential home buyers who maybe interested in the home.