What Are St. Louis Home Buyers Looking For?
As home sellers, it is alway a good strategy to understand what St. Louis home buyers are looking for in a new house. This way you can either play up the features that you already have or consider adding where it makes sense.
With this in mind, if you are looking for a fast home sale this year, read on to see which features St. Louis home buyers have at the top of their list.
A Backyard Oasis – Complete with a Deck
St. Louis home buyers can be disappointed to realize that their dream home is lacking in backyard amenities, especially when it comes to a deck. Buyers like the thought of entertaining guests, and having an outdoor deck where they can cook and hang out has climbed on the list of priorities.
If you do not currently have a deck, it can be a worthwhile investment if you plan on selling in the coming years. Decks constructed from composite materials require less maintenance than a pressure-treated design and often look very attractive wood. However, decks built from composite materials are more expensive.
Fitted Out Kitchen
- Thanks in large part to the seemingly endless television shows on both cooking or home rehabs, a large, beautiful kitchen ranks high on any St. Louis home buyers’ lists. Thankfully, kitchen remodels can generate a solid ROI for sellers thinking about implementing in order to attract buyers. But what is the difference “functional kitchen” and a “fitted out kitchen”? Well in most of today’s St. Louis buyers’ minds, a truly fitted out kitchen is one that has the latest and greatest appliances, beautiful surfaces and plenty of storage.
- When it comes to appliances, we are talking about kitchens complete with gas ranges, double ovens, and microwave drawers. A separate fridge and freezer are also really impressive, but if this is not feasible, then select a fridge that comes with the freezer drawer on the bottom.
As for countertops, stainless steel or stone are always safe (but expensive) options. When the budget calls for less money, you can consider a laminate that replicates the look at a fraction of the cost.
Lastly, storage can be a huge selling point. St. Louis home buyers will be wowed with a large pantry area that compliments plenty of cabinet room. And again, if this upgrade is beyond the budget, be sure to focus on making cosmetic upgrades. Adding subway tile backsplash, applying a fresh coat of paint and swapping out old hardware can go a long way in giving a fresh look.
Hosting Capabilities
As mentioned above, today’s St. Louis home buyers like to play host. And an open floor plan that encourages socializing can be a determining factor for a buyer. Open floor plans also let in plenty of light, which helps a home to show better.
While it is not always easy to retroactively install an open floor plan in a home, it is possible to take down walls in order to achieve. For example, if you have a formal living room and dining room that does not get any use other than those rare special occasions, consider knocking down and combining.