Knowing what is important to buyers and how to boost the appeal of the features in your home is key to selling your home.

What is important to you when searching for a home?  Location?  Number of bedrooms?  An open floor plan?  Everyone has something a little different on their list, but there are some similarities in what people are searching for in Locust Grove homes.  If you are considering putting your Locust Grove home on the market, then paying a little attention to these areas may help make your home more appealing to buyers.  All of these features are from the National Association of Home Builders “Top Features and Design Trends for 2023” report which studies what home buyers are asking for in a new home.

Laundry Rooms 

Having a designated space for laundry is important to buyers looking at Locust Grove homes.  Buyers also appreciate a laundry room that is on the main floor of the home if it is a single level home or even on the bedroom level of a two story since it makes it easier to do laundry. 

How can you improve the laundry area in your home? 

Sometimes the laundry area is part of a larger pantry area, is a closet, or isn’t on the main floor of the home.  While you may not be able to change where it is located, you can spruce up the area a little.

  • Add shelving above the washer and dryer for storage.  Grab some baskets to hide all the detergents and laundering materials. In smaller spaces, these wall mounted hanging drying racks are a welcome addition.
  • Clear off the tops of the washer and dryer.
  • If you have front opening machines, add a shelf over top of the machines that can be used for ironing and folding.
  • Give the area a good dust and a fresh coat of paint.

Flex Spaces 

Flex spaces are just rooms that don’t have one designated purpose; they can be used for whatever the homeowner needs at the moment.  For example, a front room of a home that was once a formal dining room can also be transformed into a play space for children or a home office.  Home buyers see value in these spaces since they can change as their families grow.

How can you highlight the flex space in your home?

I think it is always important to talk this over with your Realtor® first since you want to stage a flex space for what is important to buyers in your area.  For example, some Locust Grove homes in neighborhoods may benefit from a flex space that is more family centered while in other locations a home office may be more appealing.  Whatever area you choose to highlight as flex space, remember to keep it simple.  This way the buyers will also be able to imagine the room serving another function.

Exterior Lights

While it may not be the first thing that pops into your thoughts, having exterior lighting is important to buyers.  Exterior lighting adds curb appealing during dark winters and makes it safer to navigate around the yard of Locust Grove homes.  Exterior lighting can also extend the use of outdoor spaces like patios and backyards.

How can you improve your home’s exterior lighting?

You may not need to buy new light fixtures to accomplish this.  First give the fixtures that you already have a good cleaning.  The glass or plastic of these fixtures tend to get drab overtime.  Then replace the lightbulbs with a brighter one.  You can also make the fixtures feel more modern by adding a fresh coat of spray paint. If you would like to draw more attention to your back yard space, then consider hanging some lights like these to help make your yard a useable space even after dark.

Ceiling Fans

Buyers like to have ceiling fans in their Locust Grove homes.  Ceiling fans allow you to keep the temperature of your home a little warmer in the summer while providing a cool breeze.  They come in all sizes and styles, but I would recommend sticking with a neutral one.

Can I add a ceiling fan to my home?

Yes!  This is a relatively quick and easy change you can make.  If it is not in the budget to add fans to all the areas of your Locust Grove home, then consider places where you will get the biggest bang for your buck such as the living room or primary bedroom.

Walk in Pantry

Storage space is always an important feature in a home.  Walk-in pantries are viewed as valuable storage space.  Not only can they hold all of your food, you can keep small appliances in them too.  Unfortunately, it is not always possible to add one of these to Locust Grove homes due to the layout of the homes.  However, I still have some suggestions for you.

How to maximize your pantry space

First, no matter the type of pantry you have, it is time to declutter. Start by taking everything out of the pantry.  Combine boxes of half opened macaroni into one, pull out any food you need to use and put it on the counter to meal plan, and give the pantry a good cleaning.   Only put back into the pantry what should really be there.  Your goal is to leave some spaces on the shelves open, so buyers can see the space in the pantry.  Here are some more pantry organizational tips.  If you don’t have a pantry, but use the cabinets in your kitchen, the same idea applies.  

Patios

Outdoor space is important to buyers no matter the footprint of the home.  Patios are something buyers are searching for because the concrete slabs provide a place to cook out, set up an outdoor living area, or entertain.  

Should I add a patio to my home?

Patios can add value to your home, but they are a more expensive addition, so I would recommend chatting with your Realtor® to see how much of a return you could expect to receive from adding a patio.  Already have a patio (or deck)?  Here are some suggestions for staging it:

  • Clean it up:  Remove everything from the patio and give it a good scrub down.  If it is a deck, determine if you need to paint it.
  • Create a purpose:  Turn your patio into additional living space by giving it a purpose.  You can add a firepit and place some chairs around it.  Create a living room with a few outdoor furniture pieces.  Add an outdoor rug to define the space.  A storage bench that opens is a great way to stash toys and other outdoor equipment from view while proving a place to sit.  Turn the patio into an outdoor eating area by adding a table with an umbrella.   No matter what furniture you use, make sure that it is easy to move around the patio without bumping into things.
  • Leave open space: Buyers want to picture their own furniture on the patio. Make sure that the furniture does not crown the space. You don’t want the chairs so close to the edge that someone might feel like they are going to fall while getting in and out from the table.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is appealing to buyers who are looking at Locust Grove homes.  If you’ve got some in your home, make sure that this fact is noted in your listing.

What if I don’t have hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring is expensive and it doesn’t make much sense to replace flooring that is in good condition with it.  However, if you are ready to redo your flooring, I would suggest selecting one type of flooring throughout the main level of your home.  This brings continuity and can make rooms feel larger. You can use rugs to define living spaces. 

To make your currently flooring more appealing to buyers:

  • Get any carpets professionally cleaned. You might consider replacing any carpet that looks very worn or stained.
  • Give you other flooring a deep cleaning using products meant for the material. Don’t forget to address the baseboards too.

Having an understanding of what buyers are looking for in a home can help you decide what to focus on when preparing your Locust Grove home for the housing market.

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