Who doesn’t love the idea of selling your home for more than expected? No one, of course. But what are the features of a home that command a premium with today’s cautious buyers?
The aggregator Zillow loves to delve into its database and come up with answers to these types of questions.
There’s no guarantee that any of Zillow’s nominated features will deliver a surprise result in your neighborhood, but it’s interesting to know what’s turning heads at the moment.
Talking to a trusted agent about your home is a more reliable way to assess the aspects of your home that you should highlight. Of course, I’d be delighted to help you.
The Zillow report suggests buyers are falling back in love with farmhouse chic – possibly a subliminal desire to get closer to nature.
The fashionable phrase is “organic modernism”, which features touches of sophistication, such as soapstone countertops and oak floors.
Homes that embrace organic modernism sell for $12,500 more than the average home.
Zillow studied 350 listing keywords across more than 2 million homes to make its assessments. Here are some of its other findings
Kitchen capers – As well as soapstone countertops, we also love black and gold faucets, black stone countertops and backsplashes with white cabinets. This analysis overturns the previously long-held dominance of quartz countertops.
Wet rooms – Fully waterproofed spaces for showering and bathing have long been a feature at the luxury end of the market. However, they’re starting to appear in mid-range and family homes. A wet room can add 3.3% to your asking price.
Outdoor everything – Folks are in love with an outdoor kitchen, and also outdoor showers, especially in coastal areas. They can add 2.8% to your value. A decent outdoor kitchen boosts resale value by 2.2%.
New appliances – If your budget won’t stretch to remodeling your kitchen, you’ll find that new appliances will have a significantly beneficial impact on buyers’ attitudes towards your home. They can add an average 2.7% in value.
Fine flooring – Never underestimate the impact of high-quality flooring. It’s always a great idea to have your existing floorboards sanded and stained before selling. If you can afford to replace your floors, you’ll find that teak (+3.7%) and white oak (+3.2%) get a big vote of confidence from today’s buyers.