Which Features do Home Buyers Desire Most?

What are the most popular new home features of 2015? RealtorMag recently released a list of the most likely features and amenities to be included on an average single-family home in 2015. Find the complete list here: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2015/05/18/12-most-popular-new-home-amenities-in-2015.

When you’re building a new home, it may be a bit easier to include the amenities that you think a future buyer will want. It’s not so simple, however, when you are trying to sell your existing home without incurring a major remodeling investment!

There are many things you can do to your home that will make it more attractive to buyers by including what those in 2015 are looking for.

Here are some ways you can include the features that buyers desire and help sell your home:

1

Walk-in Closet in Master Bedroom – This is the number one feature on the list for 2015. If your master bedroom doesn’t feature a walk-in closet, how about taking your existing closet and giving it as many of the benefits of a walk-in closet that you can?

Walk-in closets offer plenty of  space, so you’ll want to maximize storage and organization in whatever closet you have.

Clean out your closet and really organize it! Sorting your clothes by size and color so that it is visually pleasing to look at can automatically make the space feel larger.

Consider the hanging and storage options you have already. Most often we stop seeing things that we live with clearly, so really try to look at it with a fresh eye, or invite a friend over for a new opinion.

Maybe a new rod hung at a different level could open up the space, or perhaps there is room for a high shelf to store less used items?

You could hire a professional to create a walk-in closet where there isn’t one, but you can also show a potential buyer that your existing closet can perform almost all of the same functions. For more DIY tips on maximizing a small closet take a look at this great closet post from HGTV.

2Laundry Room – Ahh, laundry. So much time is spent on this task, especially if you have a large family, it’s no wonder home buyers want the luxury of a spacious, well-lit room dedicated to the sorting, cleaning, and folding of it all!

This is a top amenity that buyers want and once again, you can show them an organized and functional laundry space even if there isn’t a whole room for it.

Again, clean out excess clutter, and make sure that your laundry area is only housing items used for laundry. Make use of all the space you have, be it a closet, a hallway, or the bottom of the basement stairs.

Invest in shelving, or wall components so that you can make the space as functional as possible! If you have items that are not hidden behind doors, make sure they are pleasing to look at – that could mean investing in some attractive containers or bins so that everything has a neat place in which to be stored.

Remodelaholic.com has tons of great ideas for small and awkward laundry spaces! Ideas like a fold-away ironing board, or an over the door organizer can really change a space and make it an attractive spot!

3
High Ceilings  – One of the top features builders are including in new homes this year is a first-floor ceiling height of 9 feet or more. People like the spacious feeling of a high ceiling. If you have lower ceilings, especially on the first floor, you may want to consider creating the illusion of a taller room.

How to create the feeling of a higher ceiling? In a recent blog post I outlined tips to make your home feel bigger. Shelves that go to the ceiling, how you arrange your furniture, which paint colors you choose, and cleverly placed mirrors can all make a room feel larger and more spacious.

If you create an open and airy feel in a room, then chances are a home buyer is going to be less concerned with the actual ceiling height.

More ideas, including special lighting and window treatment tips, can be found on Houzz.

4Programmable Thermostat – This is a fairly easy upgrade, and it can be done quickly and inexpensively. In fact, you may want to consider installing a programmable thermostat even if you are not selling your home, as it is a real money saver! According to Consumer Reports, installing a programmable thermostat can save a homeowner $180 a year on energy costs!

Programmable thermostats can be found at all levels, from simple devices that you can install yourself in a matter of minutes, to “smart thermostats” that can be controlled remotely.

5Central Kitchen Island– No matter how comfortable and welcoming your family room is, I find that when I have a get-together, guests always end up in the kitchen! People want to pitch-in to help, or just be around the host and hostess as they are preparing food.

Whatever the reason, the kitchen is usually the hot spot of a home, so it makes sense that having an island around which to convene is a desired feature for many.

If you don’t already have an island, you don’t necessarily need to do an expensive remodel to be able to include this feature in your kitchen.

There are a lot of options for creating an island in your kitchen. Small tables, butcher blocks, or a rolling kitchen cart can all create a great workspace or gathering spot – check out these unique ideas from Bob Vila for your own DIY kitchen island!

Getting Your Home in Vermont Ready to Sell

If you’re hoping to sell your home soon, don’t fret if it doesn’t include all of the latest features that buyers desire! There are lots of creative and simple ways to upgrade existing features or to add in components that potential buyers are looking for.

Having a Realtor tour your home with you can also be very eye-opening and helpful. An experienced Realtor will be able to help you decide where to invest to make your home look and function at its best!

If you have any questions about selling your home, or you are looking to buy in the Burlington, VT area, give me a call 802-488-3455 – I would love to chat with you!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sarah