In this day and age, most home buyers know exactly what they want in a home and are not willing to budge on certain features. Whether it be hardwood floors, a spa bathroom, or an updated kitchen, there are certain must-haves that eager buyers will pay top dollar for. 

Do your home’s features match up?

Laundry Room:

 In February of 2019, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) surveyed over 4,000 home buyers — those who have either recently purchased a home or plan to purchase a home within the next three years — ranking 175 features based on how essential they are to a home-purchasing decision. The simple yet desired laundry room came in 1st!

A laundry room might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the hottest home features of 2019. That said, a whopping 91% of home buyers desire this feature. It seems people want their laundry out of sight and out of mind until they are ready to tackle the task. The days of tripping over baskets of laundry are (hopefully) coming to an end!

Adding a laundry room to your home doesn’t have to be as complicated and costly as it may seem. Got a sparingly used closet that only holds a few old coats? Consider making that your laundry room (and see garage storage for ideas to stow away those old coats). Add shelving and a clothing rack to complete the room! 

Another nifty idea for those of you with a visible washer and dryer is to hang a curtain so it’s at least a separate space. Although this won’t block any of the noise, it at least keeps them out of site!

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Energy Efficient Windows and Appliances: 

We all know how expensive life can be! Many modern-day house hunters look for homes that have the potential to save them big bucks without compromising comfort. Energy efficient windows can reduce cold or hot air from seeping in. It can also trim heating and cooling costs by 12%. That’s huge!

Individual appliances can suck up tons of energy and end up draining your wallet. By switching to energy saving appliances you can save big bucks on your energy bill. An Energy Star refrigerator uses half as much energy as 15-year-old models while their dishwasher uses 12% less energy. Who wouldn’t want more money in their pocket?

Smart Homes: 

The millennial home buyer eats this feature up. In a survey conducted by CNET and Coldwell Banker, 81% of buyers indicate they would be more apt to buy a home if smart home products were already installed. This feature is said to have excellent resell value and is only gaining in popularity. People are willing to pay top dollar for homes with smart home technology products that make daily life easier. Smart thermostats and light bulbs can lower utility and energy costs over time, yet another way to entice home buyers to your property. There is even smart doorbells! The Nest Hello is a video doorbell with features designed to keep you, your family and your home safe. The facial recognition feature alerts you when a family member or friend and send a special alert. Plus, it’s under $200! Check out this article for additional (and affordable) smart home products. 

In addition, many smart home devices can be accessed anywhere in the world. Being able to see and know what is going on inside your home at all times cultivates peace of mind. Can’t remember if you closed the garage door? In mere seconds you can verify the status remotely (and close it too!)

Updated Kitchen: 

Most home buyers have done their research when searching for a home, and have a checklist of must-haves. The kitchen is a top priority for many buyers; some refuse to even consider a home with outdated cabinets, counters, and flooring. 

 Don’t panic, though—a few, simple updates can go a long way for resale value! Fresh paint, new light fixtures, re-stained cabinets, and a new sink can help your kitchen retain that fresh feel that home buyers are searching for. 

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Outdoor Space: 

Outdoor areas are often overlooked, which is a serious no-no when striving to get an excellent offer on your abode. According to the NAHB’s survey, 87% of home buyers seek out a patio. Other desirable outdoor features are fenced in yards, decks, pools, fire pits, gardens and outdoor kitchens/grilling areas. 

Creating an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank! Purchase a few stones to create a path or lay down an outdoor rug to add a little zest to your yard. Additionally, a DIY fire pit can cost less than $100 and only takes a few hours to build. Adding small and inexpensive touches to your backyard can go a long way in boosting the value of your home. 

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Mudroom: 

Mudrooms have skyrocketed in popularity, in part, thanks to HGTV featuring them on their popular home shows. They are a chic asset to any home and can add value with the name alone. Transforming your entryway or an unused pantry into this popular feature can play an important role in attracting the right buyer.

 The possibilities are truly endless with a mudroom. Even the tiniest mudrooms aid in keeping an organized home! By adding a trendy wooden bench to your entryway and building cabinets or shelves to store coats, backpacks, shoes, or beach/lake gear, busy couples and families can benefit immensely with the organization of their home.  

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Garage Storage Space: 

We could all use some extra room for our Amazon orders! The garage is a super accessible location, which makes it the ideal location for storage. For those of you who opted not to Marie Kondo your home, this feature is a big one whether you’re buying or selling. Adding cabinets, shelves, pegs to hang tools or chairs, can go a long way in persuading a buyer to strongly consider your home. 

Exterior Lighting:

Don’t sleep on exterior lighting! The NAHB states that exterior lighting is the second most coveted outdoor feature after the patio, which was covered earlier. Walk-way lights, solar deck lights, Charleston lanterns or pendant lighting can go a long way in attracting home buyers like moths to light. Balling on a budget? Pick up some low wattage string lights to illuminate your backyard or patio. It’s an easy and affordable way to blanket the area with an attractive, warm glow. 

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Hardwood Floors: 

Hardwood flooring not only enhances the look and feel of your home, but cleaning them is a breeze! Carpets can easily stain or get dirt trapped inside them while hardwoods are easy to sweep, mop, or vacuum. People with allergies can greatly benefit from this specific type of flooring because it’s easier to keep dust, pollen and pet dander at bay. They are also stain resistant and durable aka kid and pet proof!

Hardwood floors can be pricey. For sellers on a budget, check out engineered wood flooring to save nearly 15% over pure hardwood flooring. 

Security Systems: 

Security is of utmost importance to many if not all home buyers. Having a security system integrated with smart phones (just like the smart home) is rising in popularity. Being able to turn the alarm on or off with a touch of a button is a huge selling point for many. 

An easy, hands free option for this is the Ring security system. It’s easy to install, affordable, super reliable and it integrates seamlessly with most smartphones. 

Conclusion: 

When it comes to getting your home ready for sale—whether you are weeks, months, or years away—it is critical you partner with an agent that can start attracting buyers NOW! Need to update your 80’s kitchen? No problem! Still need some landscaping work done to cover the dying grass? No problem! No matter what the circumstance is, Coming Soon Homes enables you to build buzz around your home well before opening the doors for showings. It is our utmost goal to KEEP the equity in your pocket while still having the ability to sell your home quickly! Check out our exclusive Coming Soon Homes program today, which lets you pre-list your home on YOUR own timeline. Get started today!