Today’s Home Buyers’ Wish List

       TODAY’S HOME BUYERS’ WISH LIST

7 Most Requested Items

Home buyers today are a discriminating bunch! There is so much inventory of houses on the market for sale that they really don’t have to compromise their wish list in choosing a home. As most real estate agents, home investors, house flippers, and home stagers already know, the most common items today on their wish list include the following:

1) Location:  We all know the saying “location, location, location,” and it is still pretty much the most important factor to take into consideration when purchasing a home. It determines lifestyle, distance spent traveling to and from work, and resale value of your home when and if you decide to move.

2) Open Floor Plan:  Buyers today want to have rooms that are easily visible from other areas of the home – such as a kitchen that is open to a family room. Here they are able to entertain easily and not feel shut off from their company, while also keeping an eye on their kids. These rooms tend to have much better light and better traffic flow – all adding to a brighter and more pleasant ambiance overall.

3) Hardwood Floors:  Hardwood floors are so popular today because they are easier to maintain than carpet.  Children and pets take a heavy toll on carpeting, so hardwood floors are a much better choice. They also look beautiful – giving the home a ‘richer’ look.

4) Updated Kitchen:  Buyers want upgrades such as stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, easily maintained attractive flooring, as well as substantial cabinet space.

5) Updated Bathrooms:  Newer faucets, lighting, mirrors, cabinets and flooring are desired.

6) Master Bedroom Suite:  Most buyers want a luxurious, spacious bedroom with an attached  bathroom, containing double sinks and tub/shower, for a  spa-like feel.

7) Curb Appeal:   You’ll never get buyers’ attention if the house doesn’t look good from the curb.  We all want to be proud of our new home when showing friends and family!

Appealing to the above items on a buyer’s wish list will help your home stand out from the competition, and get it sold quicker. When buying a home, keep in mind what features will help with resale down the road.  Just knowing what your buyer wants will make your job easier and faster when it comes time to sell your home.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish” –Larry Elder

Time For a Change: 7 Helpful Steps to Prepare your Home for Sale

Time for a Change: 7 Helpful Steps to Prepare your Home for Sale
By: Joan Marsh Bunker HSE; Staged with Class

With the arrival of any new season, many of us pause and reflect upon our lives, and often decide that it is time to make a change.  This change may include having to relocate or downsize, for various reasons, all of which will involve moving.

To prepare for an upcoming move, here are several steps to take now to aid in the process:

1. De-clutter:   Sort through all of your possessions and make a decision whether you should keep/sell/donate or discard.  All personal photographs, hobbies, and any taste specific items should be stored away. Keep in mind that ‘less is more’ and think ‘quality vs. quantity’.  Ask yourself – Does it enhance my life? Can I live without it? If it doesn’t have a function or a personal attachment, let it go. Be ruthless!
2. Furniture:   Excess furniture can be sold on Craigslist or donated. Too much furniture in a house makes it appear small and crowded and restricts traffic flow. If necessary, rent a storage unit to hold these items until you move. Of course, a new home is always a fun time to purchase new items for a fresh start.
3. Paint:   Absolutely the most bang for your buck! Fresh, neutral paint will make your home appear clean and up-to-date and appeal to even the most discriminating buyers.
4. Repair:   Tackle all those unfinished fix-up projects.  A buyer will think the house has not been properly maintained, and put off making an offer, if there is too much work to be done.
5. Clean:   Give your home a thorough cleaning inside and out. Make it spotless! Kitchens and bathrooms definitely take priority. Don’t forget your closets, basement, and garage.
6. Curb appeal:   First impressions are so important! Look at your home through a buyer’s eye.    Make sure that the paint and the roof are fine, and that dated bushes are not hiding your home – if so, trim or remove them.  Focus on the entrance area – maybe go for a new door color, updated light fixture, pots of seasonal flowers, new doormat, etc.  Make it welcoming!
7. Ask for help:   A third party can look at your property more objectively.  A professional home stager can be contacted for an affordable consultation or actual hands-on staging.  A home must look good in this competitive market, and especially in online pictures.  An expert can make sure your home shows at its best.  Your house is a product now, so try not to take any of the recommendations too personally. There is one common goal here – and that is to get it sold quickly – so you can make those needed changes, and move on with your life!

“When you’re through changing – you’re through.”

                   Bruce Barton