While a clean, organised and well-presented home will always boost sale prospects, other features of the home are more dependent on the wants and needs of buyers.
Just like the COVID-19 years saw a surge in the demand for home offices, these features tend to be a reaction to the world we live in.
So, what are home buyers looking for in 2024? The features impressing them may surprise you.
Home features buyers are looking for in 2024
Comfort
Whether fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis or the rise of the slow living movement, a recent Domain study found that 2024’s home buyers are less impressed by luxuries such as pools, saunas and wine cellars, and showing more interest in convenience and more modest creature comforts.
At the top of this list are ensuites, walk-in wardrobes and bathtubs, with the study finding that 62% of Australians believe that a bedroom with an ensuite is a must-have, while 50% rank a walk-in wardrobe as an essential feature.
Bathtubs are also favoured by Australians, with a little more than a third of us (36%) stating that a bathtub is a must-have feature.
Sustainability
This year has also seen an increase in demand for properties with energy-efficient designs and sustainable materials, which 50% of Australian home buyers are now considering crucial features in their home.
One storey over two
There also seems to be an increased preference for single-storey living, with 43% of buyers opting for a single-storey dwelling over a two-storey home.
Indoor-outdoor living
It won’t come as a surprise that Australians are still drawn to indoor-outdoor living, with 50% of home buyers seeking outdoor entertaining areas and 45% prioritising natural light.
The study also found that 51% of Australians would opt for a garden over high-tech security systems, making it clear that lifestyle features are important for today’s home buyers.
The features that put off buyers
When it comes to the features that put buyers off a sale, a 2021 study from the Rated People’s recent Home Improvement Trends Report found that dirty homes were the number one turn-off.
The study found that a home which presents as unclean would stop almost half (43%) of buyers from inspecting it and of those who did view an unclean property, 61% would put in a lower bid to purchase it. Scuff marks, mould or cracks in walls, bad smells and dirty kitchens were all cited as off-putting to potential buyers.
Other neglected home improvements that turn off the most buyers include:
Signs of damp/mould
Cracks in walls
Mess and clutter inside
Scuffed paintwork and marked walls
No double glazing
Peeling wallpaper
Dirty bathroom
Rubbish or debris in the front garden/in front of the house
Broken or missing fence panels in the garden/outside space
Bad smells inside
Dirty kitchen
Outdated decor
Dirty/stained furnishings (carpet, curtains and sofas)
Overgrown garden
An interior that hasn’t been cleaned
Broken/damaged windows and fixtures such as kitchen cupboard doors
This means that even if you aren’t planning a renovation, there can be no denying that investing time, energy and, if necessary, cash into presenting a home as clean and tidy is essential before bringing it to market.
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
