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WEST CENTRAL LIVING
| Wednesday, June 15, 2022
| west central tribune, willmar, Minn.
wctrib.com
Affordable ways to make homes more appealing to modern buyers Metro Creative Connection the popularity of exterior lighting. And Home trends come and go. Today’s mustthat’s no coincidence, as homeowners have items tend to become tomorrow’s everywhere appear to embrace exteoutdated features in the blink of an eye. rior lighting. The NAHB report indiHomeowners who plan to stay in their cates that exterior lighting is the most current homes for years to come needn’t sought-after outdoor feature. The good prioritize modern trends over personal news for prospective sellers is that preferences. However, homeowners lookexterior lighting is an inexpensive and ing to sell their homes can consider these instant way to transform a property favored features to increase their properat night. Some solar-powered lighting ties’ appeal to modern buyers. along walkways and outside the front ► Separate laundry room: According to the door can make a home feel more safe, National Association of Home Buildwhile some uplighting of large trees ers’ 2021 What Home Buyers Really in the backyard can produce a sight to Want report, a separate room dedicated behold once the sun goes down. to laundry was the most desired fea- ► Energy-efficient upgrades: Inflation ture among prospective home buyers. has driven up the cost of just about Though it might not inspire the awe everything over the last year-plus, and of an outdoor living room or floor-toenergy is no exception. So it should ceiling windows overlooking a wooded come as no surprise that 83% of probackyard, a laundry room fills a direct spective home buyers are looking for and universal need. Perhaps that’s why energy-efficient windows and appli87% of buyers want a room dedicated to ances in a home. These features save laundry in a home. money and benefit the planet, making ► Exterior lighting: Drive through a modthem a win-win among buyers. ern suburban neighborhood at night ► Patio: Patio spaces have long been popand it won’t take long before you realize ular, but that popularity reached new
heights during the pandemic. When forced to stay at home for long periods of time, millions of people longed for ways to spend more time outdoors without breaking lockdown rules. Patios provide outdoor living spaces, and 82% of buyers indicated they wanted a patio with their next property. ► Side-by-side sink: A double or side-byside sink is among the more affordable features buyers are looking for. At less than $1,000 on average, a side-by-sink is an affordable way to make a home more appealing to modern buyers. Modern buyers want a lot out of their homes, and sellers can do their best to meet those desires while getting the most money for their properties.
HOUSING
tenance done, that should be done right away, before you even put it From Page D1 on the market,” Blumhoefer said. “That’s how you’re going to get Growing demand your best price.” However, those selling their leads to higher prices Much like in 2008, the housing homes need to have their own industry ballooned quickly in 2020 moving plan in place, whether and 2021, with demand soaring and they’re upsizing, downsizing or homeowners able to sell quickly moving into a retirement community, because of just how conand at prices far above value. But that may be where the simi- densed the process has become. “If you’re putting it on the marlarities end. “The (2008) bubble was really ket, you need to be prepared to caused by more of a credit issue,” move to your next step, whatever Blumhoefer cautioned. “They’re that might be,” Blumhoefer said. requiring a better credit score; “As far as the buyer, they need to there’s definite changes within the be prepared to make that decision that they’re ready to buy. You can’t Macy Moore / West Central Tribune banking rules.” Home buyers are required to put go in and then think about it for a A home sits for sale in downtown Willmar on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. more money down to secure a loan, few weeks. It will be gone by then.” or to pay in cash. The WCAR has find their dream home, or that the this is my first home and is this seen more cash sales lately in its Buyers need to have search may take far longer than what I can feel comfortable in?’” service area than in years past. anticipated if buyers aren’t willing Blumhoefer said. their ducks in a row “It is something that we didn’t Financing should be at the top of to have flexibility. Another worrying trend Blum“You need to pick that one most hoefer cautions against is skipping see five years ago, not at this rate,” any potential homebuyer’s priorBlumhoefer said. “Normally, your ity list, in addition to knowing just important thing you need, but a home inspection. be flexible on everything else,” first-time homebuyers are work- how much home they can afford. “That inspection’s important,” ing with a lender.” If buyers aren’t coming in with whether that’s location, the num- she said. “Even if you don’t do With a short supply and high the intention of paying in cash, ber of bedrooms, an unfinished anything, just to know what demand, sellers have more negoti- “you need to be pre-approved,” basement or the yard size. might come up in the future, “You used to be able to — if in two or three years, what you ating power than the average year, Blumhoefer said. “If you’re even although prices are settling from the looking at this point, you need to you wanted a three-bedroom, you might need to repair, or if there’s could look until you found that something that you need to save sky-high sales points earlier in 2021. have your financing in place.” Now, “sellers need to have their And buyers need to be flexible, three-bedroom that was perfect for to fix or upgrade.” price where it should be, and ready she cautioned. With low inventory — and now you need to look at a You may contact the author at kgrode@wctrib.com to sell. If there needs to be main- comes the risk that buyers may not three-bedroom and be like, ‘Okay,
The markewitthisbuyiHngO&Tsel! ling a home. Give us a call today! We can help
JALANNY RUPP BROKER/AGENT
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Savoie Interior Design
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