Most popular home features with California buyers
By, Lisa Roberts
Buying a home is a big decision. And if you’re doing it for the first time, you should carefully weigh all pros and cons before you decide on this step. People know this, and even in the hot market, they don’t want to compromise and spend their money on a home that doesn’t have all the features they want. On the other hand, if you’re selling, it’s only natural that you want to see your house gone as soon as possible. And knowing about the most popular home features with Californian buyers will help you get there.
Luckily for you, we have this information, and we’re willing to share it with you. So, sit back, and dive into the list of things your home needs to have if you want to sell it quickly.
Updated kitchen and bathroom
One of the common concerns of first-time homebuyers is that they won’t be able to afford any additional work in their new home. And you have to understand them here. Kitchen and bathroom remodel quickly get expensive, and if they’re already paying a good price for a house, they want these two rooms to be perfect.
So, if you can afford it, we suggest you upgrade them before you put your house on the market. Not only will you sell sooner, but you’ll get a much better price. And with some luck, you’ll return your investment and earn a bit of money on top of it.
Of course, you don’t have to go overboard to attract buyers. Do your research and do just enough to stand out from the competition. If your kitchen is slightly better than the ones in the houses selling nearby, chances are that young buyers will go with yours.
One of the most popular home features for Californian buyers is updated kitchens and bathrooms.
Alt-tag: A woman in the kitchen thinking about the most popular home features with Californian buyers.
Low maintenance features
California isn’t a cheap state for buying a home. The prices are pretty much through the roof, and for lots of millennials, it’s hard to even get enough money together for a down payment. The ones that take the leap, however, have to think about maintaining the property they buy. So, they look for houses that need little to no maintenance. If your property can save them money here, you have a strong selling point on your side.
The situation is pretty similar to kitchens and bathrooms. If you can, do the work yourself, and include it in the asking price. When they face the choice of a home that needs no maintenance whatsoever and the one that needs some work, but it’s cheaper, most buyers will go for the former. They see it as a more convenient solution, and they’re ready to pay for it. Don’t be afraid to capitalize on that.
Making your home move-in ready and refurbishing your kitchen appliances will get you the most bang for your buck. If you do it properly, you can call Zapt Movers right away, as you’ll be leaving your old home in no time.
Energy efficiency
The following example of the most popular home features with Californian buyers on our list works similar to the previous one. People love energy efficiency because it saves them money. And for you, it means a faster sale and a better price. So, it pays off to go out of your way and include as many energy-efficient upgrades as you can.
Adding fiberglass insulation to your attic will bring you the most for your money. Buyers will be more than happy to match the price you paid and a bit extra for all your hard work. However, what they’re interested in even more is what it will save them in the future. So, be sure to highlight that.
Explain to them that the proper insulation will bring their energy bills down by almost 15%. And if you air-seal your home on top of that and add efficient lights and appliances, you’re selling a place that will be very cheap to live in. The rooms will be cool in summer and warm in winter, and the future owners won’t have to pay a lot to keep them that way.
Younger buyers are prepared to pay for an energy-efficient home.
Wireless connectivity
Millennials are buying the most homes these days. They grew up with computers, and to them, connectivity is everything. So, if your house has good cell reception and a fast internet connection, they’ll like it a lot more. In the times we live in, these two things aren’t a luxury anymore, but necessities. And if they see them that way, you have to as well.
If you want to take it a step further, consider all the things the pandemic brought us. More and more people are working from home, so a home office is another thing that is very sought after. If you’re handy with tools, you can transform your garage into a dream home office for almost no money. Having it will make your property much more desirable, so it makes sense to do it.
Laundry rooms
Laundry rooms are another feature that finds its way to almost anyone’s priority list. More than 90% of new home buyers want to have them, and you need to address that.
Find a way to incorporate some dedicated space for ironing and folding clothes into your existing floor plan. It helps keep the mess out of the living space, and young buyers see that as a huge benefit. And if we tell you that you can have it for as low as $1,000, why wouldn’t you?
It’ll attract more buyers and help you sell your home faster. So, it’s an investment that will pay off one way or another.
Exterior lighting
We’ll finish it off with an upgrade that you do on the outside of your home. As we learned from home staging tips that will make your home irresistible, light is everything, so feel free to add some. New exterior lights will boost both curb appeal and the functionality of your property. Your house will look more attractive, and if potential buyers drive by it in the dark, it will seem a lot more welcoming.
On top of that, if the buyers are thinking about hosting some outdoor hangouts, these are a must. They’ll also add to the safety. And for families with children, it could be a thing that makes all the difference.
Exterior lights will make your home seem more expensive.
Conclusion
So, those are the most popular home features with Californian buyers. If your house already has most of them, you have nothing to worry about. It will fly off the market as soon as you list it for sale. And if it doesn’t, now is the perfect time to start working on them. Most of the things we talked about today aren’t expensive, and you can even do them on your own if you know your way around the toolbox. On the other hand, you can be sure that the buyers will be ready to pay for the features they want to see. Work on them, and you’ll make your home irresistible.
