Surprising Item's Buyers Look For in a Home

Apart from a gorgeous place on a great street, that is. Here’s what’s getting

the attention from potential buyers these days.

1. Energy efficiency features

– With fossil fuel prices headed skyward,

buyers now want homes that will save them money on energy bills every

day. Think beyond programmable thermostats and Energy Star

appliances: buyers are getting excited about unsexy features like heat

recovery, ventilators, ground source heat pumps, tankless water heaters,

solar panels, and low emissivity, argon-filled windows.

2. Luxurious Bathrooms

– Coveted bathroom features include: whirlpool

tubs, separate shower enclosures, multiple showerheads, generous linen

closets, dressing areas, and double sinks. Buyers also expect multiple

bathrooms, and Jack & Jill bathrooms are popular with families.

3. Built-in closet organization systems

– Whether your closets are

massive or minute, make the most of them with built-in organization

systems. Several companies offer many different closet systems,

allowing you to customize your closets. For maximum return on

investment, plan flexibility into the design. Buyers will want to configure

their own storage areas.

4. Specialty rooms

– The living room is practically passé, but mention a

well-outfitted media room/home theatre and buyers’ wallets start to pop

open. Exercise rooms are also a trendy feature. And in certain

neighbourhoods, a dedicated yoga/meditation space could seal the deal.

5. Environmentally friendly finishes and materials

– Hardwood floors

are perennially popular, but some buyers prefer eco-friendly alternatives

to traditional hardwoods. Bamboo is one of the trendiest new flooring

options, because it’s considered a renewable and sustainable resource.

Cork and natural linoleum are also appealing; heritage hardwood

reclaimed from old buildings offers both patina and eco-panache.

Likewise, concerns about both health and the environment are leading

lots of buyers to look for homes decorated with natural, environmentally

responsible materials and finishes. Paints that are low in VOCs (volatile

organic compounds) are a healthier alternative to conventional paints,

which release toxic emissions for years. Window coverings made of

cotton, hemp, linen, wood or other natural materials are preferable to

petrochemical products. Avoid installing anything made of particleboard.

6. Wired home

– Each year, there are more techno-gadgets and

appliances we just can’t live without. Buyers expect a house to have

plenty of well-located phone jacks, electrical outlets, and cable/internet

connections. We want flexibility and portability, so a house that’s wired

for maximum connectivity is a hot property.

Other items to consider are luxurious touches around the home, spacious

and stylish utility rooms, and high-end finishes for appliances.

(Source: www.hgtv.ca)