Today's buyers can be choosy. Perhaps they've watched too many home makeovers on TV. Or perhaps they've saved money for years, waiting for the right time to buy their dream home.
Is your home someone's dream home?
Here's your list of today's most in-demand features that attract serious buyers. The more of these upgrades you can claim, the higher your score, the faster your home will sell, and the more money you'll see.
Move-in ready
Not many people are shopping for a house that's been neglected. Most home buyers are looking for a problem-free home so they can move in directly from their previous residence. Older buyers have been down that road already. And Millennials are busy with careers and family.
A home that looks like a DIY project -- things like outdated appliances and paint colors, problem plumbing, a damp basement, insufficient electrical or HVAC systems, an old roof -- will attract investors or flippers who will offer you a rock bottom price.
Staging will make your home look like a well-tended property, but you still need to fix problems that will get a black mark from a home inspector.
Give yourself 5 points if your appliances are new-ish and convey with the property. Add 5 more if your roof is less than 5 years old, and 5 more points if your wall paint colors are neutrals in all the rooms. Add 5 more if all your plumbing is PEX, another 5 if your HVAC system is problem-free, quiet, and efficient.
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| The roof of some homes takes up lots of space in a MLS listing photo. Does your roof look this good? |
Contemporary technology
Up-to-date technology impresses buyers. They may be comparing your property to newer ones, houses that have more than just smart doorbells.
Newer technology makes even an older home look like it is keeping up.
Score yourself 5 points for each of these upgrades: a security system that adjusts things like lighting and interior tempertures (especially if voice-controlled), triple pane windows, a built-in electric vehicle charging station, eco-friendly water treatment, and air quality modifiers and purifiers. Extra credit for any solar energy panels or passive solar features, or micro-wind turbines.
Outdoor living space
Americans are rediscovering the pleasures of spending time at home. Rather than go out , many would prefer to stay in for recreation and exercise, religious pursuits like meditation or prayer, eating and drinking, gardening and other hobbies, socializing and entertaining, reading and watching movies, and working from home.
You'll be ahead of the competition if your home offers opportunities to enjoy these activites. Give yourself 5 points for a patio, porch, or deck. Add another 5 points for a family or play room, and another 5 for a home office. Add another 5 for a firepit, hammock, or outdoor seating, and another 5 for a swimming pool that's easy to maintain, such as using CO2 for pH stabilization.
Storage capacity
Given the growing popularity of off-site storage facilities, it's obvious that most Americans have more belongings than they have the space for. If your house has storage space like an easily accessible attic, an oversized garage, a separate garden shed, a walk-in pantry, a designated laundry room, or generous closets, make sure your Realtor includes these features in your listing. Give your home 5 points for each of these storage features.
Remember that storage areas like laundry rooms, garages, closets and she-sheds can be staged to make them look organized and inviting.
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| Sometimes you can locate spaces for everyday storage in an entryway or hall. Photo: Crate and Barrel |
If an attic, crawl space, or other storage areas show signs where wildlife has entered and done damage that needs to be remedied. Droppings from mice, rats, bats, squirrels, and other animals pose serious health hazards and can damage your property, so make sure you've remedied any infestation.
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| This garage makeover from My 100 Year Old Home gave the owners a recreation, laundry and storage room. |
Flexibility
Some buyers want an open floor plan, but some want the traditional one. What's more important is that your rooms can function in different ways. Of course, kitchen and baths will serve one main function. But even a kitchen can be a family's primary eating room. And a bath can be staged as a spa-like space.
One example of a flex room is a basement that's staged as a craft room, media room, or workout space. Another is a dining room that is staged as a game room and library.
Sometimes, a wide hallway, utility room, or stair landing can be staged with cabinetry as a storage spot. A bedroom can be staged as a home office.
If an office in your home has a daybed as well, it can be listed as a bedroom if it meets certain other requirements.
Give yourself 5 points for each room in your house that is staged to show it serves more than one purpose, as long as it meets the legal standards.
Get the look, get the book
How did your house rate for having special qualities that buyers respond to? If your score is over 100, chances are it will easily become someone's dream home soon!
If you want to improve your chances of a quicker, more profitable sale, download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips To Sell Your Home Fast And For Top Dollar. You'll get all the tips and methods you need to make your home the one that buyers want. I've spent decades in real estate -- buying, rehabbing, staging, and selling-- and I want to share what I've learned with you.