Thinking about remodeling? Before you start, it’s important to know what home buyers want so your improvements will not only meet your needs today, but also add value to your home down the road.
Every year, the National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, surveys home buyers to find out what they want most in a home. Their most recent survey was completed during COVID lockdown when homes had to also function as offices, schools and even gyms or playgrounds. But over two-thirds of the home buyers surveyed said the pandemic had not impacted on their choice of a home or a community.
What Buyers Want Most
The most wanted of all features by home buyers were laundry rooms and exterior lighting. These were closely followed by ENERGY STAR rated windows, ceiling fans and patios.
Outdoor Features Home Buyers Want
With people having to do a lot of outdoor relaxing in their own yards over the last year, exterior features have become more important. Outdoor living spaces like patios and porches were also high on buyers’ lists of wants.
Kitchen Features Home Buyers Want
Interestingly as far as kitchen features go, the most wanted item was a side-by-side double sink. Are trendy farmhouse sinks on the way out? Walk-in pantries and central islands were also top choices. Solid surface countertops did not make the top five list, but they are very popular right now, especially engineered quartz. Here are NAHB’s top five kitchen features.
Rooms Home Buyers Want
Laundry rooms were the top want of home buyers in all categories. They also placed dining rooms and home offices in the top five.
Interestingly, almost the same percentage wanted a great room as wanted a separate living room. This may be based on the number of people in the home and their ages. That separate space can be a bonus for anyone with teenagers at home.
Exercise rooms did not make the top five list, but did rank highly, especially among younger home buyers.
I’m Here to Help
Are you contemplating a remodel? Want to find out how upgrades could impact the value of your home? Buyer preferences vary greatly by neighborhood and price range. I can share my insights and offer tips on how to maximize the return on your investment. And if you’re in the market to sell, I can run a Comparative Market Analysis on your home to find out how it compares to others in the area. Contact me to schedule a free consultation!