In some areas of California, millennials are buying up property as fast as it can be listed. In other areas, older buyers are moving in. If you have a smaller home or condo to sell, you might find that older buyers are the perfect buyers, and there are a few upgrades you can make to get them more interested. Check them out and then contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices at (310) 373-0021 if you want more tips to sell your home.
Add Accessibility Options to Your Laundry Room
Many home buyers would rather not use the stairs to do laundry, and older buyers in particular state that this is a necessity. One survey showed that 68% of moderate-income home buyers and 69% of high-income home buyers said they would rather have the laundry room on the main floor – not a garage or basement.
Newer homes are including larger laundry rooms on the ground floor that also act as a drop zone for coats, purses, and other accessories. Other homes have a laundry room attached to the master bedroom to make access even easier.
Turn Your Shower Into a Walk-In Shower
More than three out of four respondents with moderate-income said they wanted both a shower stall and a tub in the master bathroom. However, when it comes to older folks, having just a shower is fine with them. Elderly people generally do not want to (or cannot) climb in and out of a bathtub. If you have just a shower stall, it makes it easy for them to get in. For more interest, install grab bars and a molded seat.
Install a Smart Thermostat
While the stereotype about older buyer is that they do not like technology, the truth is that cell phones and computers have been used daily by most people long enough that today’s seniors are more tech-savvy than those just a few years ago. Installing a home thermostat helps them stay cool or warm exactly as they want to, but without wasting money.
This can be an essential addition for seniors who are worried about their ongoing costs of maintaining their home – including their utility costs. For seniors on a fixed income, the idea that their heating and cooling costs could fluctuate significantly at different times of the year is enough to make them consider not buying a home.
These are just a few of the ways you can make your home more attractive to older buyers – and these factors can appeal to buyers of other ages too. If you have a question about your best options for selling or buying a home, we urge you to contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices at (310) 373-0021 for help.