Top 4 Features that Attract Home Buyers in 2022

Home buyers constantly change their wants and needs, but a few features are always in demand. Here is a list of the top 4 features to attract home buyers in 2022.  

1. Neighbourhood

One of the biggest challenges in purchasing a home is choosing the right neighbourhood to live in while maintaining a budget. The most desirable neighbourhoods usually have a higher price tag, so be prepared to compromise on location or budget. Some top things to consider are social, recreational, and nearby economic amenities. Other wants could be bus stops and walkability. Saskatoon has some tremendous new neighbourhoods, such as Brighton and Aspen Ridge, and older walkable neighbourhoods like Nutana, City Park and Caswell Hill.

Tips for Sellers:

Highlight key neighbourhood areas in the listing writeup, including shopping, schools, and closeness to desirable amenities.

2. Open Concept Floor Plans

Nothing else exudes a modern home like an open concept floor plan. Most current buyers want an open floor plan for entertaining and extra floor space. Moving requires great effort, and most buyers want an upgrade of real estate after their first home. First-time home buyers commonly desire renovated kitchens and bathrooms.

Tips for Sellers: 

Based on this knowledge, sellers should think about renovating their homes before putting them on the market. Open concept areas will make the home more appealing to home buyers and should aid in selling the house faster. 

3. Patios, Decks, Outdoor Entertainment

The need for outdoor space has become very important during the last two years. Home buyers are coming from small quarters and are looking to expand their entertainment spaces outside. A patio is a great way to provide an inexpensive solution to create more space outside—greater yet would be a deck or tiered deck for BBQing and seating. 

Tips for Sellers:

If removing walls or doing significant renovations inside your home is too big for your pocketbook before you sell, consider creating more space outside. Building a patio is a great way to create additional space for a home without the pricey budget and indoor mess.

4. Garage versus Kitchen Space

While the average home buyer typically desires a great kitchen and entertainment space, the other top-ranking area is the garage. An attached heated garage is most desirable in colder climates like Saskatchewan for prolonging the vehicle’s life span and ease of use. Some buyers might also like the extra storage space, perform car repairs and create home garage gyms.

Tips for Sellers:

If you have enough cash flow, consider updating the kitchen and bathrooms. If the budget doesn’t allow it, the next best option is to finish your garage or, at the bare minimum, clean out your garage space to lure customers inside. Consider renting a storage shed to remove home clutter rather than filling up your garage.

Consider a few of these upgrades when putting your home on the market to make sellers’ homes more desirable to potential buyers. Not only will it make your house more enjoyable while you still live there, but it will also make it more appealing to potential buyers. Buyers are eager to invest more into homes that check off all their wants and needs, which are at the top of the list.

If you want to buy or sell your home and need a knowledgeable REALTOR®, contact me today!