As generations and societies change, so do the amenities and features in a house that we want. In the past, we’re contented with a beautiful deck and backyard. That’s good enough for hosting summer barbecue parties with our family and friends. We also want larger homes. But today, a survey found out that most homebuyers prefer smaller homes but better amenities such as a laundry room and energy-saving features.
For a real estate agent, it’s hard to draw up a property advertisement if they don’t know anyone to sell it to. That’s where a buyer persona comes in handy. This tells the property agents what kind of amenities and features a home must have to gain traction in the market. This knowledge both empowers the homeowner and real estate agent to tap into the growing pool of Millennials and even Generation Z who want to own a home.
Laundry Rooms and Energy-saving Features
Homes with laundry areas and energy-saving features such as solar panels are more likely to be sold immediately. People want access to a laundry room because this is convenient and saves a lot of time from having to go to the laundromat. It’s also more economical. And at this time of physical distancing measures, going to the laundromat is a no-no.
Energy-saving appliances and features such as installed solar panels are also a plus for homebuyers. Who wouldn’t want a chance to cut down on those huge energy bills anyway? If you’re selling a house complete with appliances, you should consider changing old appliances into energy-saving ones.
Home Storage
Homebuyers don’t necessarily want bigger houses, but they want more storage. That means your home needs storage spaces such as cabinets, pantries, walk-in closets, and many more. These will keep things organized in the house. You can consider building cabinets and making use of the vertical space.
Hardwood Flooring
Gone are the days when homeowners prefer ceramic tiles over hardwood flooring, which is considered to be harder to maintain. Hardwood flooring gives off an aura of elegance and sophistication, something that you can’t get from tacky ceramic tiles. Hardwood flooring has a warm vibe to it. Plus, it makes a home look expensive. But be careful about using hardwood in small spaces. It also tends to make a space seem smaller.
Open-floor Layout
More than 86% of homebuyers want an open-floor layout for their dining rooms and kitchen. This type of floor plan makes a room look bigger. It’s great for individuals and families who love hosting dinner parties and having guests over. They also want a modern kitchen where it’s nice to whip up some of their family recipes.
Natural Lighting
Another thing that homebuyers look for is the presence of natural lighting in a home. Even though they value their privacy, they want sunrooms and bigger windows. Skylights and clerestory windows are becoming prominent features of houses to let the sunlight in but still maintain privacy.
If you want to become a great real estate agent, you should be aware of the changes in homebuyers’ preferences. This knowledge will give you a good grasp of how to advertise properties to your target market. It will also allow you to guide home sellers as they put their homes in the market.
