8 Things Homebuyers Are Looking For In 2021

2020 has changed the way many people look at their homes. People are moving out of big cities at a 50% higher rate than previous years--and their perspective on what they want in their homes has changed, too.

Are you preparing to sell your home in 2021? Carefully considering these improvements and updates can help you appeal to a wider range of buyers and, in many cases, increase the overall value of your home. 

1. Eat-in kitchens.

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, an average 94% of adults found themselves cooking more often--or at least the same amount--as they did before the pandemic, and 75% of respondents are making as much or more time for family meals--either in person or virtually.

In order to gather around a table, you need, well, a table. 

Not only does an eat-in kitchen provide room for the family to come together and enjoy a meal together, it can make it easier for family members to participate in other activities, too. An eat-in kitchen is a great place for the kids to take care of their schoolwork, parents to handle working from home, at least on a temporary basis, and everyone to gather for board games and fun. 

2. A fenced-in backyard. 

Many people are moving out of cities and away from apartment living, choosing instead to settle down in a house. One of the biggest draws? A fenced-in yard--and yes, the fence is a critical part of the equation. A solid fence provides the perfect place for both kids and pets to explore the yard safely, with more minimal supervision than a larger yard. 

3. A patio or other outdoor living space. 

Square footage is an important element for many buyers. One way to extend the space of your home is to create a stunning outdoor living space: a patio area that encourages new buyers to come outside, enjoy the gorgeous weather in your local area, and participate in outdoor living activities. A fantastic outdoor living space might include comfortable seating, outdoor cooking options like a fire pit, or shade, all of which can help make that space more comfortable. If you're looking into updates that can help increase buyer interest in your property, highlight those outdoor living spaces. Not only can they help enhance curb appeal, they can increase overall appeal to buyers who are imagining themselves in the property. 

4. A garage. 

A lot of the buyers moving quickly toward houses are looking for the benefits that apartment living simply didn't offer. One of the big ones? A garage. A garage offers a convenient place to park the car. It prevents the need to scrape ice off the windshield in the winter and keeps the car at a more comfortable temperature in the summer. A garage may also extend the life of a vehicle or decrease the amount of maintenance it needs. 

In addition, a garage provides valuable storage space for the new buyers. Millennials, in general, tend toward minimalism. They may make fewer purchases of "stuff" in general, and they're less likely to keep possessions in their homes that don't spark joy. They have also learned the importance of minimizing visual clutter and the impact it can have on overall mental health. If you want to make the most of the new garage addition to your home, consider building in storage space: shelves, peg boards, or overhead storage bins that will offer plenty of space for the new owners to tuck away their possessions. 

5. A laundry room.

For new homebuyers, a laundry room isn't just a place where the laundry gets done. It's also a way to keep some of the clutter out of the living areas of the house. A laundry room helps keep the mess tucked away and gives homeowners a better place to keep the laundry until they have a chance to fold it and put it away. If you're looking to sell, but don't have a laundry room already in your home, an unfinished basement may be the best place to add one, since it usually already has utility hookups and won't require revamping your home's floor plan in order to create the new addition.  

6. Energy efficiency. 

Millennials, who now pose the largest group of homebuyers, are highly interested in energy efficiency and going green. They want to protect the environment, and their wallets, as much as they can. Energy efficient appliances and modernized doors and windows can help cut down on overall costs and prevent excess energy usage. 

7. A reasonable commute.

Today's homeowners are looking at staying in their homes for the long haul--and they're looking for convenience while they do it. Take a look at your home's proximity to other local areas. What school district is it in? What's the appeal for local workers: are you close to some of the biggest employers in the nearby area? What about parks and recreational activities: does your home have easy access to them? While you can't transport your home to a more convenient area, you can do a little research to learn more about the available options in your local area. Then, you can provide that information to potential buyers, who might be encouraged by that information. 

8. A walk-in pantry.

Storage space is at a premium in many kitchens, especially with families spending more time eating at home. It takes a lot of food to keep a home stocked for a family that's home all day, every day--and many buyers have realized that this year, more than ever. A walk-in pantry can provide additional storage space and make bulk buying easier, which can help homeowners cut down on food costs. Ideally, pantries should be located in a cool, dry area of the house to prevent those products from going bad. In many cases, you can add one to your home relatively inexpensively. 

If you're ready to sell your property, make sure that you highlight its best features or make the updates that buyers are really looking for to help you sell your home as easily as possible. Consider updating or upgrading some of these options to improve the way buyers look at your home.