Are you getting ready to sell your west Volusia home? If so, you are wise to focus on features that meet homebuyers’ needs.
7 Desirable Features That Sell Homes Faster
As experienced realtors and agents, we observe distinct trends regarding the features home buyers are looking for as they tour prospective homes. As you make plans to “sell my home,” see if there is anything you can do to optimize these seven areas.
1. Storm and weatherproofing
According to floridarealtors.org’s latest facts and figures, 80% of Florida homebuyers finance their purchase. To do this, the home must be insurable. Due to Florida’s history of severe winds, rains, and storms, it’s a good idea to boost – and promote – any storm and weatherproofing improvements you can think of.
This may mean:
- Repairing or replacing the roof
- Installing wind mitigation features
- Replacing outdated windows/doors with models that have high impact ratings
- Pruning trees/limbs that threaten the home or roof
Any evidence you can provide about the improvements and updates you’ve made goes a long way toward putting future buyers’ minds at ease.
2. Gorgeous landscaping
Speaking of pruning, what’s the current status of your landscaping. Of course, everyone knows that curb appeal is essential and that typically begins with the home’s exterior landscape and home features. However, today’s homeowners look at the landscape as their future playground.
With our area’s beautiful climate and indoor/outdoor lifestyle, homebuyers are looking for properties they fall immediately in love with. Furthermore, in the wake of the pandemic, it’s become increasingly important to have outdoor entertaining spaces you can be proud of.
3. Energy efficiency
We project the words “energy efficiency” are here to stay. As fuel prices go up, homebuyers are interested in houses that are as energy-conservative as possible. This is especially true during the warmer months when AC units run 24 hours a day.
As long as you’re looking up ways to “sell my home faster,” start making a list of current energy-efficient features and then assess whether any updates or replacements are worth the return on their investment. This includes:
- Cool/reflective roofs
- Efficient windows and doors
- Solar panels
- A newer HVAC model (with a paper trail of annual maintenance records)
- Passive solar design features
- Awnings or shade covers that reduce solar heat gain
- Light fixtures with LED bulbs
- Updated insulation
- Energy-star rated appliances
Pointing these features out and celebrating them make an impression on those who tour your home.
4. Outdoor living areas
This echoes #2’s focus on gorgeous landscape design. People are interested in outdoor patios and living spaces that are as comfortable as their living rooms, dining rooms, or kitchens. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) notices this trend as well. They write:
Of the roughly 876,000 single-family homes started in 2018, 59.4% came with patios…This is the highest the number has been since NAHB began tracking the series in 2005.
It doesn’t take much to spruce up an existing patio space or create a staged one in your backyard. It shows potential homebuyers there is plenty of room to spread out, enjoy outdoor living, host family and friends, or extend the home office or school workspaces.
5. Home office & workspaces
This brings us to the next feature to focus on if “sell my home” is a goal for 2022. The data shows that nearly 60% of Millennials work from home full- or part-time, and they want dedicated home office space. This is especially true for those who have children and never know when distance learning or forced quarantines will keep them at home together.
If you don’t have a home office at present, consider staging one of the non-master bedrooms as a home office to inspire potential buyers. Staging the exterior and interior of your home is one of the top three ways to sell a home fast. The right realtor can help you stage the house in a way that inspires homebuyers to see it as their own while still keeping it functional for your household.
6. A contemporary kitchen
An outdated kitchen won’t break the deal in a seller’s market. However, it can notably lower the sales price. And the good news is that smart kitchen renovations can yield up to a 70% return on your investment.
Areas to focus on include:
- Neutral color schemes and finishes
- Countertops (a tasteful, transitional granite is a plus)
- Updated appliances
Your realtor can help you determine how to renovate the kitchen to increase your sales price with respect to what your home value supports.
7. Smart home solutions
The culture’s increased focus on gadgets, rechargeable batteries, and a work/play home life has pushed the demand for smart home solutions. USB outlets and charging stations are hot items right now, as are wireless home security systems, and built-in sound systems. Sellers also appreciate automated home systems (lighting, window coverings, HVAC, etc.).
Is “sell my home,” on your list of things to do this year? Get in touch with Southern Exclusive Realty, at 386-279-7244. We’ll help you showcase the home features your future home buyer is looking for this year.
