What Buyers Are Looking For

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, people spent more time at home than ever. Anyone who juggled working from home, homeschooling, and living in the same space with their family 24/7 knows firsthand how the pandemic has made buyers reconsider what they need in a home.

Over the last few years in the Snowy Mountains region, we have seen an exceptional amount of activity in the property market. Now post-pandemic, at Henley Property we have noticed the new trends and compiled a list of six features that buyers are actively seeking.

Renovations

With the cost of materials, skilled labour shortage, and wait times of renovating dramatically increasing over the last 2-3 years, we have seen a sentimental shift when it comes to buyers seeking a major fixer-upper. Experts have predicted that it will take several years before we see the building industry return to normal, and as a result, we are seeing buyers more often seeking homes that are ready to be lived in or only require some very small touch-ups such as new carpets or paint.

Layout

An open-plan layout in the living, kitchen and dining areas is almost a way of life for young families these days. Not only does an open plan layout maximise space, openness and natural light; but it also creates a great space for entertaining and an inclusive family environment where you can keep an eye on the kids.

As well as an open-plan layout, we see buyers also seeking out a home that offers multiple living areas combined with a seamless and thoughtfully designed spatial flow. This type of floorplan allows a family to spread themselves across the home in defined areas, offering a sense of privacy while also remaining connected.

Low-Maintenance Gardens

When it comes to presenting a home for listing, lush green gardens and bright, blooming flower beds really make a lasting first impression! This is wonderful if you have a green thumb and the time to put into nurturing your property’s gardens. Unfortunately, most buyers don’t have the time, knowledge or passion to maintain a garden, and in turn are increasingly seeking out properties that have a low-maintenance garden, especially investors.

Home Office

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated existing trends of remote work, e-commerce, and automation; with a huge increase in the number of workers working from home either full-time or in a flexible work arrangement. With this new way of living and working, the demand for home offices is now higher than ever before.

Instead of settling for a space at the dining table or kitchen bench, work-from-home buyers are seeking a more permanent and comfortable working environment that can be separated from their personal living areas to create a boundary between their work life and personal life. Whether it’s a spacious office or a thoughtfully converted study nook, offering a dedicated workspace will increase the appeal of your home to a large portion of buyers in the current post-pandemic market.

Sustainability

In today’s world, more and more people are becoming aware of the importance and freedoms of sustainable living. Buyers are increasingly seeking out homes that are self-sufficient, passively designed, and sustainable, and it’s easy to understand why. Not only does it feel good and add quality to your day-to-day living, but it can dramatically help owners save on their power bills too.

Space and Privacy

During the pandemic, we saw a dramatic increase in the tree-change trend with the number of people migrating from the city to regional areas reaching their highest level yet. Showing no signs of slowing down, we are still seeing a high volume of buyers still seeking a quiet rural lifestyle on small acreages or larger rural blocks that offer distance between neighbours.

Should you be wondering what features affect the value of your home in today’s market, we encourage you to speak with your real estate agent. They will help you better understand your property’s value and provide their professional opinion on whether renovations or improvements can increase your property’s value. Should you be considering your options don’t hesitate to contact our agents and book a free, no-obligation appraisal via our website here.