
Seller's market though it is, the buyers are the ones spending the money. Unless they're in a position where they must purchase quickly, most buyers will hold out for a home with the features they really want. Does your home have any of the most popular buyer requests? Based on recent personal experience working with buyers (giving feedback) and sellers (receiving feedback), as well as conversations with colleagues, these are the ten most sought after features in a home:
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BATHROOM SPACE. If a home doesn't have an adequate number of bathrooms, one of the most important considerations will be whether, and where, another one can be added. Is there a place where one would make sense? The size of the room is also important – more often than not, buyers will regard a "shoebox" sized bathroom as more of a future improvement project than an asset.
MAIN FLOOR LAUNDRY. Whether you have a dedicated laundry room (definitely preferable) or laundry hookup in a bathroom or guest bedroom closet, most people would rather not to have to carry laundry up and down the basement stairs.
HARD SURFACE FLOORS. Carpeting, unless it is like new, is not such a favored option anymore. For various reasons – often pets, children, or allergies – many people prefer hard surfaces which are easier to keep clean, such as laminate, hardwood, ceramic or porcelain.
PRIVATE BACK YARD. More than one client has declined to purchase a home because the yard lacks the privacy they desire. The back yard is an extension of living and entertaining space to many people, and having it shielded from neighbors or the road with a fence, trees, or shrubs, can make all the difference in the world on how relaxing it feels.
CLOSET SPACE. People tend to have lots of stuff, and they need a place to store it out of sight. Lack of storage room can be a deal breaker for many buyers.
COUNTER AND CABINET SPACE. Whether they prefer large, open concept areas or a kitchen out of the main hub of activity, most people appreciate lots of cabinetry and counter space. Having high quality materials is a huge plus, too.
PRIVATE OFFICE. Now more than ever, having a quiet room where one can work, homeschool, or attend video meetings is a necessity. If your home has a spare bedroom or a finished area in the basement that can be staged to show this potential, you stand a better chance of appealing to more buyers.
RELIABLE, HIGH SPEED INTERNET. This one is non-negotiable for the majority of buyers. Even if you don't use it yourself, it's in your best interests to know what options are available.
GARAGE OR POLE BARN. Space for storage as well as parking vehicles, lawn equipment and boats is a prerequisite for many buyers. It's not uncommon for an offer to be contingent on the ability to build a pole barn or garage.
WATERFRONT. For some lake home buyers, having level and direct access to the water is a must. Steep slopes, stairways, or having to cross a road can deter them from making an offer on an otherwise perfect home.
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What did you love most about the home when you bought it? Highlighting what is wonderful and unique about it is a great way to help others fall in love with it, too. Even if your home doesn't have these features now, pointing out the potential to add them in the future can be enough to persuade reluctant buyers to make an offer.