The Most Common Items People Want in a New Home
Finding just the right home can often feel like a monumental task. Your property search could take you anywhere from a week (if you’re really lucky) up to many months in order to find the right house for you. While you may have a list already made of what you’re looking for in your new home, and especially what matters the most to you, here at Berkshire Hathaway, we have a pretty good idea of what are the most common things that people want in their new home. Some of the following items on the following list may surprise you and others may be ones that are on your list as well. We want to help you find the home of your dreams during your property search. While you’re working on your list to know what all that entails, take a look at some of the home attributes that many individuals view as very important as you keep reading.
Windows and View
When prospective homebuyers are equipped with eye-tracking goggles, 95 percent of individuals go straight for the windows. There are a couple of things that individuals look for specifically with windows. First, they want to know if they are relatively new and energy efficient. Energy efficiencies throughout the home are rated as highly important, and windows are a very important source of potential savings. Additionally, individuals that went for the windows first were looking at the view and the neighborhood. Location is key for any homebuyer and the view from the windows can say a lot about the area surrounding the home and the extra value of the home. For example, if the home has a mountain view or is away from busy streets, there will be a greater value placed on that specific home.
Storage, Storage, and More Storage
We all know that when you move, you find out how much stuff you really have stashed away in your home. That might explain why it’s important for many people to have lots of storage in a new home. From cupboard space to plenty of closets, home buyers are looking for homes that can provide them with plenty of storage to work with. This could mean having a designated pantry, a hall linen closet, or built-in storage solutions in the garage. These are typically easy additions or changes that a homeowner can make prior to listing a home so when buyers go through the homesearch process, they can see that their need are already met.
Fireplace
In the same study that found 95 percent of homebuyers go straight for the windows, they also found that 75 percent of individuals made specific note of if there was a fireplace or not. A fireplace, whether wood or gas, can add interest to a home and comfort. During winter months, homeowners love to sit around the crackling fireplace and enjoy an evening, perhaps with hot cocoa or a good movie.
Stainless Steel Appliances
Data collected by the National Association of Realtors pointed to two important facts about kitchen appliances:
- 41 percent of homebuyers want stainless steel appliances.
- 69 percent of homebuyers want new appliances, especially in a new build home.
The thought process behind this is that stainless steel appliances are an attractive and stylish addition to any home. There is perceived value in simply having stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. However, many people want new appliances for a more legitimate reason. The thought is that by having new appliances, you can truly call a home yours. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about an appliance breaking down early into homeownership as they will all be new with warranties. The main point is that a larger percentage of individuals don’t want to deal with maintenance and upkeep hassles.
Hardwood Floors
You can never go wrong with a home with hardwood floors and 54 percent of prospective homebuyers value hardwood floors as being very important. Now it’s important to note that the home buyers that want hardwood floors fall strongly under the age of 54. People over the age of 54 tend to want carpet in their home, but younger individuals view hardwood floors as an easy to clean and maintain option for their home. They aren’t wrong either, as hardwood floors can be easily cared for a refinished multiple times before having to replace them making them a valuable asset to any home.
Ensuite Master Bath
Over the last several decades, what individuals look for during their homesearch has changed. In the last decade, almost 50 percent of home buyers want to have an ensuite master bath in the home that they purchase. This may come from the mentality that people want to turn their home into a safe space for them fit for relaxation. Additionally, many couples prefer the space of a larger, personal bathroom that has two sinks in order to go about daily routines at the same time. For many couples, this isn’t just something that is optional or prefered during their homesearch but something that is necessary.
Walk-in Closets
Similar to couples wanting an ensuite master bathroom in a home of their own, walk-in closets can be a must for 60 percent of home buyers. This falls into a very similar situation as having extra storage in the home. During a homesearch, individuals what to see that their needs are met and that they could actually imagine living in the home. A walk-in closet in the master bedroom is something that couples love to see and will definitely use. If a walk-in closet just isn’t in the plans, sellers can install unique storage solutions to turn a standard closet into a his and hers closet affordable and easily.
Central Air Conditioning
Living in Santa Fe, you will rarely be buying a house that doesn’t have central air conditioning. With the hot summers here, it’s an absolute must. But there are other places around the country where central air conditioning is much less common, however it is the number one convenience in a home that home buyers are willing to pay more for. In fact, almost 70 percent of prospective home buyers are willing to pay an extra $2500 in order to have a home that already has central air conditioning installed. This is also the one feature that there is no difference between age groups. Consistently, everyone wants air conditioning, and we definitely can’t fault them for that.
Separate Laundry Room
Maybe you’re an individual who doesn’t mind having the laundry room be part of the spare bath, or that a small space simply doesn’t bother you because you’re so efficient at getting clothes put up that it just doesn’t matter. If you’re one of those people, then you’re the oddity. A majority of individuals currently buying a house say that having a separate laundry room with space is a must have in their new home. According to the Association of Homebuilders, a separate laundry actually topped the list of most desired features for home buyers of all ages.
Berkshire Hathaway real estate agents have the experience, know-how, and understanding to get you in the home of your dreams. Contact us today to set up an initial appointment and get started in the home buying process.
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