9 Home Features That Sell Real Estate in Central Connecticut
January 26th, 2009 categories: Central Connecticut News & Information, Home Buyers, Home Sellers
Based on Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost Vs. Value Report and my own experience with home buyers and sellers, the following home features are the most attractive and desirable in Central Connecticut.
Fireplace
Although fireplaces are terribly inefficient, winters are cold in New England (so is spring, fall and sometimes summer) and people like the feeling of sitting near or looking at a fire. It also seems that fireplaces are not one of those things buyers think they can easily or inexpensively add themselves, so it’s viewed as a real bonus to have one.
Garage
A garage is almost mandatory in New England for home buyers. Adding a garage can be very costly or difficult to do depending on the lot size. And in towns or markets where not every comparable house has one (or one that’s attached), a garage can really set one house apart from another. Many home buyers will automatically ignore homes without a garage.
Low Maintenance Exterior
Who wants to paint every 5 years? Most people don’t. In Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, replacement siding has among the highest return on investment, with owners expecting to recoup about 80% of the cost to install when they sell. However, in some neighborhoods known for their historic houses, vinyl siding inconsistent with the look of the house can actually reduce the value.
Deck
You wouldn’t think that home buyers would find a deck really desirable, since it can only get used a few months out of the year. But because we are locked inside for 6 months, it seems that people want to spend as much time outside as possible when it’s warm and a nice, large deck is the place to do it.
Energy Efficient Features
More and more buyers are looking for features that will save them on fuel costs, such as windows, newer heating and cooling systems and extra insulation.
Great Curb Appeal
In Connecticut, there are some really easy things you can do to make your house stand out that fit with the local style, for example flower boxes, paint door and shutters a different color that coordinate with the house’s color, or add new house numbers and or a new exterior light. I often say, “cute sells.”
Photo from Country Living (John Peden) by way of The Inspired Room
Light
A sunny, bright home will always sell much faster than one that is dark and dreary. Natural light is best but even a home under the shade of trees can appear to be light and bright with decorating. Trimming back trees or shrubs too close to the house will go a long way in attracting buyers.
Room for Storage
Home buyers expect storage. Even in older homes where closet space can be minimal, having storage (in basement, attic, garage, shelving) is a big plus.
Room to Play/Work/Exercise
Perhaps it’s the economy or maybe it’s just cocooning, but people are spending more time at home. An extra room, finished basement or room over the garage is something many home buyers are looking for.
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Ironically, the old house pictured may seem the New England ideal. A classic, old colonial. But most people are terribly superficial- those great old houses have extremely small bedrooms- usually around 11×12 or so. Personally, I love that- but most Americans who spend too much time watching the home buying TV shows have been brainwashed into thinking a 500 sg ft master bedroom with his/hers bathroom is somehow logicial.
Another example-my basement in my 1780 colonial would scare most people to death. Do they want something resembling a medieval dungeon underneath them? (I think it’s cool…)
Right now there’s a paradigm shift about to occur (I think…). American’s have embraced the idea of energy efficiency (and hence saving $). Smaller house= less heating/cooling bills, less property tax, and less homeowner’s insurance. And- they might actually be able to afford it this time!
Now home builders have to start thinking smaller and building smaller. If efficiency, as you’ve noted, is REALLY going to stick and not be a fad, the best way to achieve that is by reducing sq footage in conjunction with insulation/efficient machinery/etc. Bring back the ranch!
Home buyers have got to get over themselves and focus on reality. If they truly think having a smaller footprint on the world in general is a good thing, they should ASK for a smaller home.
The vinyl-clad, mega-MC-mansions of the last decade are (I think…) going to go out of style and may be more attractive to families whose generations live together. In most parts of the world, one of those huge houses can house a dozen people- not just the 3-4 people. There’s a tremendous amount of depreciation that has to happen to that class of homes first- but hey, I see some solid signs of that happening already…
And I think it greatly depends on what county your talking about in New England, as far as what a potential buyer values in a home.
The problem we have is the existing housing - not what’s being built - and making houses function for how we live today.
3 bed ranches are great, unless you have kids, need a home office, have pets, a hobby, need a playroom,etc. We live much differently than families did 50 years ago - and those ranches were called starter ranches for a reason.
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