Listing your house on the real estate market is the first step down an often tedious journey of scoring a good sale deal. Multiple factors come into play when you want to make your property appealing to prospective buyers. The way your home looks and the design features it has can affect its value.
So what design solutions can become major game changers to help you sell your house faster? We have asked 7 real estate specialists to give us the best advice on turning your home into a buyer’s dream by focusing on the most trending designs.
Houses with Tricked-Out Storage Spaces
Sheds and other storage spaces such as attics are great assets to your property. Many modern families don’t really need a stand-alone shed to cramp it up with lawn equipment and gardening tools, but they can get inventive and repurpose the space for their personal needs.
Redoing your storage structures into conceptually thought-out rooms is a sure way to increase the appeal of your house, says Kurt Walker from Cream City Home Purchasers. “Besides, it’s a cost-effective solution for expanding the living space. When potential buyers come for a showing, they will be able to see themselves in these tricked-out spaces, indulging in their favorite hobbies or throwing house parties for their friends.”
Here are some ideas you can leverage if you want to repurpose an old shed, attic, or basement:
- an arts and crafts studio;
- a lounge zone;
- a greenhouse, etc.
Houses with the Abundance of Natural Light
Another feature that can make a big difference is the amount of natural light your house gets. Homebuyers pay special attention to this factor, and it’s not only about appearances. An abundance of natural light means lower energy bills, a reduced ecological footprint, and even a less stressful lifestyle.
That’s why maximizing natural light in your home is a sure way to sell the house faster. To do this (especially for showings), you can:
- opt for curtains of lighter colors and shades;
- place large mirrors in strategic corners of your rooms (choose the spots where the un hits);
- go for light wall paint;
- use reflective surfaces in the interior design.
Casey Ames, licensed realtor at Gem State Cash Offer adds: “If your house still lacks natural light due to unfavorable positioning or other factors, you can enhance it with artificial light. Use full-spectrum light bulbs and place lamps in the darker corners of your rooms. And always keep your curtains open during the showings.”
Pro-tip: don’t forget to clean your windows. Dusty glass can reduce the amount of natural light entering your living space.
Houses with Walk-In Pantries and Closets
This design feature is definitely not a core demand for prospective buyers but it makes your house more appealing, says Daniel Cabrera from Sell My House Fast San Antonio. Many house hunters would like to have a walk-in closet in at least one of the bedrooms.
It is not only a good functional solution but also a status feature. If you have enough room to redo your closet space, go for this transformation.
Walk-in pantries are also a superb design feature. This smart storage solution will make your house especially desirable for bigger families that regularly need to stock up on groceries with longer shelf life 62% of real estate agents claim that walk-in pantries were one of the most popular and beneficial kitchen upgrades in 2021.
Houses with Remote-Friendly Workspaces
Carter Crowley, co-owner and licensed Realtor at CB Home Solutions says the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work for the years to come. More and more employees are working from home at least part-time, and their homes have become their new offices. That’s why repurposing an area or room in your house for a separate workspace is a sure way to increase its value for potential buyers.
If you have a room to spare, equip it to meet the needs of remote workers. Apart from the obvious features such as a convenient desk and a comfy chair, take care of the following details:
- fast internet connection;
- soundproofing (relevant for habitual zoom-callers);
- quality lighting.
Pro-tip: even a small living room corner can become a remote-friendly home office. Find a compact yet functional desk and use wall space to install floating shelves.
Houses with High-Quality Kitchen Worktops
You might think it’s another secondary factor but buyers pay extra attention to work surfaces. The kitchen is the beating heart of every house, and its design is essential to the value of your property.
While you might have stopped worrying about the stains and cracks on the worksurface on your kitchen counter or island, the buyers will notice these small imperfections, tells us Jasen Edwards, chair of the Agent Editor Board at AgentAdvice. That’s why taking care of kitchen worktops is arguably the best and most cost-effective way to give it a better look and sell your house faster. Go for durable, aesthetically appealing materials. Some of the trendiest choices are:
- quartz;
- granite;
- soapstone;
- concrete;
- marble;
- butcher block.
Houses with Thought-Out Outdoor Space
Don’t forget about the outside of your house. Buyers want a home where they can enjoy stepping outside the four walls into a cozy outdoor space and hanging out with their family.
No matter how big or small your property is, you can improve both the appearance and functionality of your outdoor territory.
Consider these tips from Ben Wagner, CEO of Leave The Key:
- Get some outdoor furniture for a comfy pastime. Build a dining setting around a grill or a lounge zone with some beanbag chairs – whatever suits the overall style of your home;
- If you have a garden, invest in landscape design. Create a sophisticated green zone buyers will enjoy looking at; tools such as Dynascape landscape design software can help craft meticulous and appealing designs without much hassle.
- Don’t forget about lighting. Hang string lights over the gathering area, install path lights or go for cozy lanterns. This is a great way to make the space more inviting for prospective buyers.
Houses with Plants as Part of Interior Design
Last but not least – consider adding some natural green to your home space. Buying several plants and putting them in your living room or bedroom is a small investment that goes a long way.
Why do plants make for an alluring design feature for prospective buyers? The thing is, as Millennials are entering the real estate market and looking to buy a home, they prioritize wellness as a key factor. Green spaces are associated with serenity, comfort, and natural aesthetics so many people long for.
Incorporating house plants into your indoor space is also a great way to create design integrity and unity with the outdoors, which makes your property even more attractive to visitors.
Pro-tip from George Beatty founder of Problem Property Pals: choose the plants that are easy to maintain and require the amount of sunlight your space can provide. Cacti, succulents, and snake plants are good options that don’t need too much care but add the right ambiance to your home.
Conclusion
If you want to sell your house faster, you don’t necessarily need to invest massive amounts of time and money in full-scale renovation. Sometimes, small changes are enough to fully redefine a space and make it a hit on the market.
Use these design improvement ideas to prepare your home for sale and attract more potential buyers ready to jump at the deal.
