If you are looking to sell your home, it certainly helps to know what buyers are looking for. Buyers today are looking for more than just three bedrooms or two bathrooms in a sufficiently large space. Instead, they want a home that is affordable to live in and operate at the same time. They also want appliances and other furnishes that have a modern and practical look to them.

Keeping the following ideas in mind will help you sell your home faster, and for a better price too.

Your Buyer is Smart and Your Home Should Be Too

A smart buyer is going to look for features that might have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. Today, the technology exists that allows an individual to remotely turn on a light, turn down the thermostat or keep an eye on the kids when mom and dad are gone. If your home has one or more of these features, it will be highly marketable to younger buyers who crave control over their items. It may also cater to older folks and parents who want ease and security when it comes to managing their household. 

Energy Efficiency is Key to Selling Your Home

If there is a way to use less energy and conserve resources, a buyer wants to see it in your home. Today, manufacturers are making dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines that use as much as 50 percent less energy than past versions. In addition, buyers are also looking for insulation and roofing materials that are friendlier to the environment and help reduce heating and cooling costs. 

While you shouldn’t remodel your kitchen or bathroom just to cater to a buyer, you may want to consider switching out your current light bulbs for LED lights or having an energy audit conducted. You may qualify for tax breaks if you buy and install items that are certified to conserve energy. It will also increase the value of your home to put in new appliances.

Your Choice of Finishes Could Make Your Home More Attractive

Stainless steel was all the rage in recent decades. However, consumers these days like the modern look and feel of white ice and slate. White ice is a combination of white and silver accents that is made from a mirrored surface with a glossy finish. Like slate, it blends well with stainless steel and is easier to clean. As buyers have increasingly busy schedules, they don’t want to spend time cleaning a stainless steel appliance if they don’t need to.

Focus on the Bathroom, Kitchen, and Basement

The bathroom and kitchen are two of the priciest rooms in the home to remodel. However, they are also the most likely to offer a significant return on your investment. Therefore, focus your upgrades on those parts of the home if you are going to make changes before putting your home on the market.

Finished basements may increase living space, which could help you justify a higher list price for your home. Even if you cannot finish your basement, it may be beneficial to protect it against water damage as best you can.

Having an understanding of consumer trends in your area will make it much easier to sell your home in a timely manner. With the right upgrades, you can make it easier to sell at the price you want to get. Therefore, it is critical that you are in tune with buyer needs and give them what they want and need to make an offer on your home.

Photo credits: sold sign, bulbs, bathroom

Author: Jeff S.

Proud father and husband. Loves music, Nine Inch Nails, UFC and inbound marketing.