The only thing more stressful than buying a house is, perhaps, selling one. People often do both at the same time, adding to the anxiety involved in the process. If you're selling a house, there are some specific ways to reduce that stress by selling faster and for a better price. The following are five home improvements that are almost guaranteed to bring in buyers.
An Updated Facade
The front door is the first thing your potential buyers will actually touch and see in the home. A high-quality wooden door with some simple but elegant glasswork windows will lead the potential buyer to equate the home with quality. The door should also be of solid weight, and the hardware on the door (handle and lock) should be installed correctly and invoke a feeling of solidity and security.
A Modern Laundry Space
In terms of laundry trends, newer houses have stackable high-efficiency appliances, and the physical laundry space is also located on the second floor as opposed to the first floor or in the basement. If you have space on the second floor like a large hall closet or even space in a second bathroom, consider creating the house's laundry space there, as it’s perceived to be much more convenient for laundry needs. Other laundry space features that buyers like to see are spaces for hanging items that can’t go into the dryer, and a flat surface for folding.
A Well-Designed Backyard
A potential buyer needs to be able to envision themselves living in the outdoor space of the home as much as the inside. Elegant (but easily manageable) landscaping, patio space, and a beautiful outdoor hot tub deck design are all major draws for potential home buyers. Creating several smaller spaces within a larger backyard can be appealing as well. Building a space for grilling and eating on the immediate deck, a fire pit surrounded by comfortable outdoor seating, and possibly a water feature with a small pond in another area helps buyers grasp the full potential of an outdoor space.
A Luxury Item in the Bathroom or Kitchen
It is common knowledge that kitchen and bathroom renovations are very appealing to potential buyers. But to take it one step further and set your property apart from the others, add what most people would consider a luxury item in one or both spaces. For the bathroom, that could mean a geothermally heated floor, a bathtub with a jet whirlpool feature, or an extra-large shower head. In the kitchen, luxury items could include an additional sink in the island, a double oven, or a touch-less sink faucet. A kitchen or bath that looks beautiful is a great start, but a feature or two that makes it feel elegant and luxurious is the key to setting your property above others.
“Big Ticket” Items
Experienced buyers or buyers that have been looking at homes for a while will be just as concerned about the "bones" of the house as how it looks. "Big ticket" items like the roof, water heater, sewage system, furnace, or driveway paving become extra appealing if they have been replaced or updated within the last five years. So if you have any bigger items that are older than that, seriously consider updating or replacing them.
Since buyers are experiencing much of the same stress as sellers, what they want to see and know is that this house is going to be stress-free to live in. They want to be able to envision themselves living there happily and easily. These five improvements will create that feeling.
About the Author: Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer who works with Bullfrog Spas. When she’s not writing, Emma enjoys spending time working in her yard, spending time with friends, and entertaining in her own dream backyard.
