10 Home Features and Amenities that Buyers Want

Buying a house is a huge purchase. It’s no wonder, then, that those in the market for a new home are picky about what they are willing to buy. Most have specific needs in terms of location and size, but also have certain amenities that make them more likely to buy a particular home. Knowing which home features buyers want is a key part of selling your home faster and for a higher price.

Home features that buyers want

Every potential buyer has his or her own list of must-haves. While these can vary from person to person, there are some upgrades that are commonly desired by the bulk of those who are hunting for homes. Below are ten of the most common home features that buyers want – and for which they are willing to pay.

Flexible spaces

Having at least one flexible space in your home is a great idea for attracting buyers. This is more a matter of staging than one of real remodeling – showing off an office or bonus room as a potential bedroom or man-cave can go a long way towards selling a home. It’s not going to add that much extra value to your house when it’s on the market, but it can sway a buyer who is on the fence.

INVESTMENT RATING: C

Kitchen islands

Kitchen islands play a huge role in the modern kitchen. Part storage, part functional space, these islands add a great deal of character to the right kitchen. While they aren’t that expensive to install on their own, the added cost of demolition and remodeling the rest of the kitchen will hurt your return on investment. Still, most buyers are looking for a kitchen design that has an island, and adding this kind of amenity to your kitchen is a good way to make your home look more attractive and modern.

INVESTMENT RATING: B

Outdoor living

Buyers love outdoor spaces. While the heat in Phoenix during the summer can be intense, that doesn’t mean that people don’t still host outdoor parties. Turning a backyard from a simple play area into something that can function as a true outdoor living space can be pricey depending on your current situation and it definitely requires more upkeep from a property management standpoint, but it can become a great selling point for your home.

INVESTMENT RATING: B-

Luxurious bathrooms

Bathrooms have become an important space for buyers. Most want at least one that stands out in the home as a refuge away from a hectic schedule. What’s important here is the look, rather than the money spent on the bathroom, though – high-end fixtures aren’t always needed so long as what’s available gives a good impression. Consider making minor updates to your bathrooms before you put your home on the market.

INVESTMENT RATING: A

Be sure to also check out our blog: Five Home Repairs that Sell a House

Open concepts

Open concept homes are the hot trend right now, and those who want open concept are unlikely to look at anything else. This is one of those home features that you’ll either have or you won’t – transforming your entire existing property into an open-concept plan may not be worth as much money as you think. If you can swing the renovation budget, though, you’ll usually get back at least as much as you paid in. Going open concept will attract buyers who wouldn’t otherwise give your property a second look.

INVESTMENT RATING: A-/C- (depends on current floorplan)

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is more than just a buzzword, especially in a city like Phoenix. Buyers don’t want to waste all of their money on energy bills and would much prefer upgraded windows and appliances over most other vanity home featurues. While these certainly aren’t selling points that are likely to wow your potential buyers, they do play a role in the final decision. Unfortunately, these upgrades don’t have a huge return on investment – they will help you to sell your home, but they won’t do much to help you recoup your investment.

INVESTMENT RATING: C-

Dedicated laundry space

New home buyers love laundry rooms. Simply being able to do laundry in a dedicated space is a perk that former apartment-dwellers love, and it’s also something that more buyers, in general, are coming to appreciate. Creating a dedicated laundry room is an expensive proposition for most homeowners, but it’s often worthwhile. The creation of this new space can usually give you a relatively decent return on investment and allow you to wow potential buyers with the utility space in your home.

INVESTMENT RATING: B

Extra storage

Everyone loves storage. It’s not just that home buyers have a great deal to pack away, but that people are trying to live less cluttered lifestyles. Those who want to keep their unused items out of sight and out of mind want more storage throughout the house, ranging from bigger closets to better storage solutions in the kitchen. This is the kind of investment that tends to pay off well, as it’s easily visible and it’s one of the main home features that most buyers understand the value at first glance. If you’re looking to make a fast upgrade to your home, consider upgrading the storage.

INVESTMENT RATING: A-

Hardwood floors

Carpet is out and hardwood floors – or floors that look like hardwood – are in. Making the switch over to hardwood or a substitute is a great way to add immediate value to your home. While true hardwoods are expensive, laminates are relatively inexpensive and give much of the same look. The value of switching over to either is relatively high, but you’ll get a better return on your investment if you choose a strong laminate over a more expensive hardwood in most cases.

INVESTMENT RATING: A/B+ (laminate/hardwood)

Master suites

Fortunately, master suites have been popular in homes for decades. These suites are more important than ever, though, especially with younger home buyers who want a bit of privacy in the middle of a growing household. Homes without master suites are much harder to sell because these features have gone beyond being simple amenities and have become must-haves for most buyers.

INVESTMENT RATING: A

These are just a few of the upgrades that new buyers have come to expect in modern homes. If you’re getting ready to put your house on the market, it’s important to know where your home stands in relation to the expectations of potential buyers. Don’t try to guess what you need to upgrade in your home – contact CENTURY21 Northwest today for your home evaluation.