Houses are expensive, even in this market, and given that fact, most people aren’t willing to spend that much money on just any old home! After all, you’ll likely be taking out a mortgage on that home, which means that you will be paying back a bank for the purchase of that home for years to come, if not decades – and with interest. Even when you are getting a home, you have to consider the resale value of that home, as you may have a very good reason to move in time – and that will mean having to find a way to leave without having lost money on the purchase. In fact, it’d be great if you could leave having made a profit!
So what are people looking for in homes and home designs these days? It changes every decade, every year, and sometimes every month, but overall there are certain things that today’s homebuyers are interested in that you would be wise to pay attention to when considering the viability of a home:
1. Great Presentations
It’s the 21st century, and style often triumphs over substance. With so many media outlets and an increasingly media- and tech-savvy consumer audience, homebuyers expect a home to be presented in such a way that it is attractive, interesting, engaging, and meets their very high expectations. 3D renderings, video walk-throughs, high-quality marketing materials, and professional-level photography are all baseline expectations from your customers, and if you don’t meet them…
2. Everything is on Facebook
You shouldn’t just use Facebook as a social media outlet, but every available platform. Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest — it all works, and it all does a great job of getting out the message of your home: its design, what it offers, and more. Use every social media outlet available to showcase your homes’ special features and how they are better than the competition’s!
3. Kitchen is King
Let’s face it: the heart of a home is its kitchen. While the majority of time may not be spent there, it is certainly one of the most important rooms in terms of functionality; its cleanliness, adaptability, utility, beauty, design, and space are all critical to a buyer’s calculations re: purchasing the design. If your kitchen is top notch, buyers will notice.
4. Two Stories are Better Than One
Why do buyers prefer two stories? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for certain: they do! It may be that the ability to compartmentalize what is happening in the home between downstairs and upstairs allows for large gatherings, guests, and large families to function happily in the same space. It may be a matter of luxury and options. It may simply be because people think that’s what they should have!
That’s not all people look for these days; some are searching for a home with a first-floor master bedroom, while others are primarily interested in simply having a bigger home – bigger than even the homes that we saw in 2012. It varies from family to family, too, which each particular family having needs depending on their children (or lack thereof), extended family, and hobbies. Being able to cater to all of these groups with a wide variety of home designs is, of course, critical to your success!
+Ken Uhrich likes houses — and he thinks you should too! He blogs and gives home improvement tips on the Custom Home Group website.