If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, you may be wondering about the types of features that buyers are looking for. Below are just a few of the things that people are looking for in 2021.
A Laundry Room
Lots of first-time buyers have spent years of their lives living in apartment complexes. And while some apartments come with in-unit washers and dryers, most of them don’t. Suffice to say, first-time buyers love the idea that they’ll no longer need to stock up on quarters. Existing homeowners also prefer to buy homes with a dedicated laundry space. Having a stacked washer and dryer in a kitchen or hallway closet is good, but having a separate laundry room, that gives them space to store dirty clothes, set up an ironing board, and that has shelves for laundry detergent and fabric softener, is better. If your home does have a laundry room, consider painting the walls and adding some storage solutions (such as one or more racks, cabinets and shelves). These small tweaks can help make the space stand out.
Ceiling Fans
A recent survey found that upward of 83% of buyers prefer homes with ceiling fans. This feature is especially attractive to people who are looking to buy in Southwest Florida. Why? Because ceiling fans can help reduce cooling costs between 4-8% when combined with a central AC unit. Although air circulation doesn’t necessarily help reduce a room’s temperature, it does help warm rooms feel more comfortable. If you’re thinking about listing your property and you’re wondering if this is a worthwhile upgrade, be sure to talk to your real estate agent.
Side-by-Side Kitchen Sinks
A surprising number of buyers have also said they prefer double-basin sinks. Suffice to say, this is definitely among the features that home buyers want. Although farmhouse sinks (i.e., sinks that have a singular basin or bowl) are popular on social media, lots of house hunters don’t like them. Side-by-side kitchen sinks are helpful for a variety of reasons, such as providing homeowners a dedicated space for a dish-drying rack, it helps them separate dishes from food prep space, and it ensures that the garbage disposal is accessible at all times.
A Walk-In Pantry
Lastly, you may be interested to learn that house hunters often prefer homes with a walk-in pantry—and this type of dedicated space is extremely attractive to buyers with children. Walk-in pantries are ideal for parents who like to shop in bulk and/or prefer to have a variety of cereals, easy-to-prepare meals, snacks, and baking supplies on hand. If your home does have a pantry closet, it may be worthwhile to repaint the interior walls, add new shelving, and update the lighting fixture
In closing
Are you thinking about selling your home this year? If so, we can help. For more information about the types of features that buyers are drawn to, or the types of upgrades you should make to your home before you list it, call our office today to speak with a seasoned, local real estate agent.
