The importance of knowing which features sell homes – and which do the opposite

As hard as it is to imagine, it’s not that long ago that shaggy pile carpets, avocado-coloured kitchens and separate rooms for every household function were popular interior trends which attracted buyers and possibly even sealed the deal.

These days, tastes and trends are somewhat different and also a lot more varied than they were back then, but what hasn’t changed is that the appearance, design and layout of a home can greatly influence the speed of the sale and the final price achieved in sale.

What works today

Although everyone has their own taste, there are certain features that are appreciated by most people and which will appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. It’s also no longer just about aesthetics, functionality is equally important.

Kitchens: Kitchens have become the showplace of the home and a central gathering place for family and friends. Nowadays, more emphasis is placed on quality kitchen countertops and cupboards. Even if you are on a limited budget, if you are going to do any upgrades before listing your home, your money would be well spent in the kitchen as fewer buyers are willing to compromise on this aspect than any other.

Bathrooms: Bathrooms are equally important to buyers, who mostly also prefer minimalistic designs. Vanities in solid wood are very trendy and monochrome colour schemes are most popular. People are also increasingly looking for a little luxury in this room, so even small features like heated towel rails and shower heads with multiple settings will add to the appeal.

Indoor/outdoor flow: Fold-back or stacking patio doors which allow for more spacious living and entertainment areas and create an open flow through the property are a great selling point. And, if the main living area is open plan, so much the better in most cases. And don’t neglect the outdoor living area – make sure decks don’t look worn and ensure the garden is tidy and attractive.

Energy efficiency: While green living is by no means a new idea it’s gaining in popularity, especially in new builds when it’s easier to install most of the systems. The most popular are, of course, those that reduce the cost of energy and offer an alternative energy source as well as those that save water.

Lighting: Natural light, and lots of it is the current trend. But if your home is older with smaller windows and standard doors, you can work around it by updating old light fittings and, if the budget runs to it, install additional wall lighting for a more subtle and contemporary effect.

What’s not so hot

While there are numerous trends with undeniably broad appeal, there are also features that can make homes very difficult to sell.

Exterior turn-offs: Many agents are reporting that face brick homes now often remain on the market for up to twice as long as other properties and those with red-tiled roofs are even harder to move as they really date a home and it’s not a cheap fix.

Security issues: With security at the forefront of most buyer’s minds, it can be a problem if the garage is situated too far from the house and also if basic security features are not in place.

Offending walls: Bright wall colours like yellow and red that were once so popular can also put buyers off, so it’s advisable to repaint in neutral tones before putting your home on the market. And unless it’s a contemporary feature wall, rooms decorated with traditional wall paper are likely to have the same negative effect on potential buyers.

Flooring: Another big no-no is wall-to-wall carpeting, especially in living areas, as most buyers prefer hardwood floors, and some people even consider carpeting unsanitary.

Quirky is not always a good thing

Everyone loves to feel that their home has unique and unusual features that have great appeal, especially when the general characteristics of the home are in line with current trends.

People want something that sets a home apart from being an average box like hundreds of others, so details like bay windows or perfectly placed balconies can be very attractive to buyers.

However, it should be borne in mind that there is a very close correlation between how interesting and unique a property is and the size of the potential buyer pool, which shrinks substantially the more unusual a property is – and this can impact both return on investment and the length of time it takes to sell.

Quick fixes

While some features are certainly a lot more difficult and costly to change, owners of older properties looking to sell would do well to seek advice from their agents and also do a little research about current trends before putting their homes on the market.

Simple measures like a fresh coat of paint and replacing dated taps and cupboard handles could make a significant difference to the final sale price as well as how long a property remains on the market.

Weigh up the investment against the potential return; if it’s likely to push up the sale price by a few thousand more than you spend, it’s worth the time and effort.