The pandemic era has ushered in a trend toward more flexible living spaces. Sections of the home now serve more than one use to give way to remote work and online class conditions. Many other significant pandemic-related lifestyle changes have also driven home buyers to rewrite their checklist of desired home features.
That said, the classic home must-haves continue to dominate most buyers’ lists for 2022 – but with some tweaks to take into consideration the new normal and future plans of selling for top dollar. Below are this year’s best-selling features of a house that buyers will be looking forward to in their new property.
Laundry room
The desire to do laundry in their own houses than to go out to the neighborhood laundromat for safety’s sake is one of the main reasons why as many as 87% of homeowners deem a laundry room essential. For added value, the laundry room should come complete with a washer and dryer, a sink, a table for folding clothes, cabinets, and shelves.
You can further upgrade your laundry room with ENERGY STAR-certified models of washers and dryers for more efficient use of electricity.
Patio
This addition to the outdoor living space appeals to 82% of home buyers. Not only does it provide an extension to one’s living quarters but it also allows safer opportunities for welcoming and entertaining guests in the new normal. Returns from this particular home feature can fetch as much as 80%, provided that it is installed and designed properly to add value.
To enhance the patio, you can put a couch, some chairs, and a porch swing. Depending on size, you can add more elaborate features like a fireplace, a built-in grill, or an outdoor kitchen.
Walk-in pantry
A walk-in pantry takes food storage to new heights. That’s why recent data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that 81% of buyers now require this particular home feature.
A walk-in pantry of any size appeals to buyers as it elevates the functionality of the space and heightens the aesthetic appeal of the kitchen.
Full bathroom on the first floor
In multi-floor homes, one would expect either a powder room or half bath installed on the first floor primarily for house guests. However, more buyers (around 83%) are going for the full bath option on the first floor as the need to immediately wash off harmful pathogens from the body upon arrival before facing family members has become increasingly important in recent times. Moreover, guests won’t have to go from room to room on the upper floors just to find a full bath and scrub themselves clean.
Exterior lighting
Exterior lighting adds enormous value, security, and curb appeal to a home. Thus, it’s not surprising that 87% of buyers consider this a must-have feature.
Exterior lighting highlights landscaping, illuminates the home at night, and sets the stage for outdoor entertainment and recreation. Pendant lights on the front porch, as well as spotlights and walkway lights in the garden, provide an ethereal glow to an otherwise standard outdoor space. Motion-sensor lights provide security and deter break-ins.
Selling your home with the aim to achieve profitable returns includes knowing buyers’ preferences, and there’s no one more knowledgeable about the buyers’ pulse than your top Realtors in the communities of Lake Chelan and beyond, Coldwell Banker Lake Chelan Properties. Call our expert real estate and property management team at 509.682.7777 or contact us here to learn more.