9 Most Wanted Home Features in 2022
ERA Evergreen
SPECIAL SAUCE: OUR RECIPE FOR RAVING FANS
SPECIAL SAUCE: OUR RECIPE FOR RAVING FANS
As properties continuously skyrocket, following an increase in 2021, selling your home this year is an excellent idea. This information is especially vital for homebuyers who have been seeking validation, thinking to themselves, “Should I list my home?”
Nevertheless, if you’re not entirely sure what these hopeful buyers are looking for in 2022, you’ve come to the right place (or, I must say, the right blog!). In this article, we’ll be talking about the most wanted features homebuyers are looking for in 2022.
What are the must-haves to sell a house in today’s red-hot market? Here are our nine top features.
A Designated Laundry Room
Who DOESN’T want a space to stack all clean laundry until it finally gets put away (yes, moms, we hear you!)? Most homeowners appreciate having a separate room to keep the mess (a.k.a unfolded and unironed clean laundry) out of your living space, and a dedicated laundry area or room will be seen as a huge benefit. If you don’t have an existing one, the basement is usually the easiest and cheapest place to put it, as all the utility lines are already there.
Exterior Lighting
Boost both your home’s curb appeal and functional lighting with exterior lights. A properly lit home is attractive and welcoming to passers-by and visitors, and it’s almost necessary for a homeowner hosting outdoor gatherings and activities. Exterior lighting is also an added safety feature to make the home more secure for its occupants. Not to mention, you can install these at a relatively low cost!
Ceiling Fans
You probably haven’t heard your friends and family gush over ceiling fans, yet, most homebuyers, sometimes unconsciously, look for this home feature whenever they view a prospective house. It goes without saying that this is a home feature that SHOULDN’T be ignored.
Luckily, ceiling fans are relatively cheap and easy to install, so it’s a home improvement you can do quickly to increase the perceived value of your home. You can also upgrade the look of your ceiling fans to make your space look more luxurious by installing a “fan-delier,” which are light fixtures that look like chandeliers and include the functionality of a ceiling fan.
Energy Star-Rated Windows
Energy efficiency is increasingly vital for today’s homebuyers, and that includes home features like ENERGY STAR windows, which will help regulate the home’s temperature and save money for the homeowner. Unfortunately, installing new windows can’t be DIY-ed and aren’t cheap. Nevertheless, if you’re planning to remodel, you’re better off knowing the importance of ENERGY STAR windows and appliances. If you already have certified windows, include them in your listing.
Spacious Patio
Patios have been a highly desirable home feature for years, and this year, it remains to increase the value of your home. Families are constantly looking for a place where they can sit outside, drink coffee, entertain guests, or watch their kids and pets play at home, so if you want to increase the value of a single-family home, building a patio should be high on your priority list. Fortunately, patios can also be simpler to build because they are on the ground, not raised above the ground like decks. If you’re looking to make significant improvements to your home, creating a patio could add massive value.
Side-by-Side Kitchen Sink
Although you may see large farmhouse sinks all over DIY Home Improvement shows and design magazines, it’s not what most buyers actually want. In fact, a popular home feature that homebuyers look for in a house, particularly in their kitchens, is a side-by-side sink! As always, there are exceptions when a farmhouse sink may be the best choice for your kitchen design. However, the function of a double basin sink is much more likely to appeal to most buyers.
Walk-in Pantry
Homebuyers (with families) know how quickly a kitchen can become overcrowded without enough space to store essentials (A.K.A canned goods, condiments, and food storage containers). And if you’re a bulk buyer who avoids frequent trips and in-store crowds, a walk-in pantry will probably be the most coveted kitchen feature for you. A walk-in pantry allows homeowners to store larger quantities of non-perishable food items and other kitchen essentials just a step away from the food prep area, unlike reach-in closet pantries with sliding doors that offer limited space. It also a great way to add more space to a home.
A Front Porch
Yes, front porches have returned in popularity, and it’s most likely because of their functionality, design, and curb appeal. However, since front porches are an exterior home feature, adding one to your home may vary in expense depending on your location. It’s best to look at your local real estate market if this is a home feature desired by homebuyers in your area. Meanwhile, you are selling an apartment instead of a single-family home– you’re all good. While you won’t have a front porch to manage, that doesn’t mean you should forget about its exterior.
Hardwood Floors in Living Areas
The then-famous carpet floor types have been replaced by hardwood flooring, and it’s what most homebuyers want when choosing their next home, especially in living areas. If you already have that kind of flooring, be sure to feature that in your listing photos and description.
However, it’s important to note that it’s hard to determine why buyers prefer hardwood over all other types of flooring. Many buyers want the real thing, but some like the look of wood without maintenance. Another cheaper upgrade to your home’s flooring is to change to laminate, vinyl, or wood-look tile.
