What Do Home Buyers Want?

by FSBOJane on February 8, 2008

I was thinking this past week: what is it that home buyers want? Of course, each individual is different and has specific needs. But overall: are there general themes that dictate what buyers are looking for right now?

If there are, think of the potential power in real estate investors’ hands: We’d know what we should buy, because we’d know what they’ll buy from us. We’d know what kind of improvements are worth investing in, because we’d know what adds value in a buyer’s mind. We’d know, essentially, what really matters.

So, what say you: Are there all-important aspects of a home that are definitely a worthwhile investment and a fool-proof key to adding value today? What convinced you to buy? What convinced a buyer to purchase your property?

Not sure? Maybe a look at some expert opinions will get the ideas flowing:

  1. HGTV:

    ”10 Things That Make Buyers Bite”: Stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, updated lighting, organized closets…

  2. About.com:

    ”Trends for Home Buyers”: Pre-WWII, Mediterranean and Mid-Century styles, modern or mint-condition kitchens, fancy bathroom fixtures, earthy colors, open floor plans…

  3. Chicago Tribune, citing Mark Nash (whose in-the-know list made it to over 500 publications and web sites):

    “What’s ‘in’ for Real Estate in 2008”: concealed kitchen appliances, bathroom televisions…

Your turn. Agree? Disagree?

(Image borrowed from The Barker Blog)

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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

1 iS Clinical February 8, 2008 at 1:32 pm

Those are great lists! especially the HGTV one because it is laid out in a way that is easy to read and understand.

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2 Carey Frankel February 10, 2008 at 9:17 am
3 riathareja February 10, 2008 at 10:50 pm

Different people have different tastes and budgets when it comes to purchasing a house of their own.Everyone wants to have the best and fair deal suiting their criteria and preferences. Since as a normal layman who did not have that much of knowledge and time to enquire about the nitty gritties of this industry i took the help of a reliable real estate consultant for the same.Axiom estates proved very helpful and profitable for me.They helped me to make the best deal out of my given resources.

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4 Orlando Florida Homes For Sale February 11, 2008 at 11:58 am

Good area, nice house, good price on house, ability to resell down the road (investment potential). reasonable taxes, employment in area.

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5 gary February 11, 2008 at 9:13 pm

If you are selling to a man and wife, which probably is usually the case, I would think a nice, up to date kitchen would be very helpful. I’ve always read that if you spruce some part of your home up, start in the kitchen. That’s the thing a woman likes most.

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6 virginia limo service February 13, 2008 at 4:30 pm

nice FSBOJane …

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7 Charlotte real estate agent December 2, 2008 at 11:30 am

I definitely agree with the first two points, and even though I have only been a renter, I have personally never based where on live on proximity to work.

If I like a neighborhood or certain place to live, I’m going to live there. Jobs might come-and-go.

Charlotte real estate agent’s last blog post: No-Obligation Consultation

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8 Charlotte real estate agent December 2, 2008 at 11:32 am

I definitely agree with the first two points, and even though I have only been a renter, I have personally never based where on live on proximity to work.

If I like a neighborhood or certain place to live, I’m going to live there. Jobs might come-and-go.

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