I thought it would be helpful to jot down some of the most important features that home buyers are looking for when they buy a house on Long Island. While these features are most important to Millenials and Gen X'ers, please note that most buyers, regardless of generation, prefer this (and these are consistent with home remodeling trends.
1. Open Floor Plans. Yes, they are one of the most desired features. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and these plans highlight this. They make the space more open and make the space look larger. They create a central gathering space for the family as well as guests. And, of course moms love them as it's an easy way for them to cook while keeping an eye on the kids. For those homes without an open floor plan, most buyers then ask/try to figure out how they convert the home into an open floor plan so that they can open up their space.
2. Hardwood flooring. Yes, this is strongly preferred especially hardwood on the main flooring level/common areas. Hardwood flooring has now become the preferred flooring surface for kitchens (and of course goes hand in hand with open floor plans. Hardwood improves the value of your home and they are much easier on your feet than tile. And, of course, they make your space look larger when you have the same flooring surface in all areas.
3. Large Master Bedroom Suite. This would include a large up to date Master Bathroom and large closet space, ideally at least one walk in closet. After all, this is the room the buyer will be staying in. They seem to be fine if the other bedrooms are smaller.
4. Up to date kitchens with granite or quartz counter tops. Lots of countertop space is a huge plus, too. Modern appliance a key, too.
5. Lot of light. You won't find this point in many places because it's subtle and difficult for buyers to articulate. Nice and large windows are a huge asset. And, of course open floor plans help, and so does good lighting. And, light colored walls helps. (Note: You can have a light gray or light beige or light blue and still be light and airy; it doesn't have to be white...and in fact, often a little color is a lot better (as long as it's neutral).
6. Space for a home office. Yes, more and more people are telecommuting or working from home or some sort of combo, so having space for an office really helps. Sometimes, this is just a matter of having a 4th bedroom (which could in fact be used as a 4th bedroom, guest room or office). Sometimes, it works when you have large kitchen or kitchen/family room where part of it could be converted. And, of course, I see many converting the dining room into an office (or a playroom). It's interesting that most younger families don't care so much about the dining room. Instead, they either want place space for the kids or office space.
If you're planning on selling your Long Island house either now or in the next few years, these are considerations for home improvements. They will improve your home's value and reduce your time on market. They will also help you enjoy it while you're living there. If you are in a difficult real estate situation and need to sell your Long Island House "As Is," you may find this info handy.
Hopefully, this info will help you make smart decisions on your home remodeling projects to improve the enjoyment of your home and capture a higher resale value.
