At the beginning of September, kids are normally heading back to school and the busy homebuying season would be wrapping up. But, this is 2020. There's nothing typical about this year. With the school year in flux for many and historically low interest rates - buyers are still on the hunt for that perfect home.
While some of the features buyers are looking for haven't changed, there are some post-pandemic differences.
According to realtor.com, buyers have shifted their focus to quality-of-life aspects. So, quiet neighborhoods, larger homes, and access to nature and the outdoors ranked higher.
"Buyers seem to be more willing to drive farther and spend a little more to have these features," said Kazantzis Real Estate Owner and Agent Andrea Kazantzis.
According to a recent survey, a quiet neighborhood was tops; followed by outdoor space, like a patio or yard; and proximity to grocery stores and pharmacies was a close third.
"The pandemic changed the way many of us live, and many of our activities became centered around the home," said Kazantzis. "Buyers are looking for a sanctuary. They are looking for more space that allows them the flexibility to work remotely, distance learn, or even exercise from home."
According to realtor.com, close to four in 10 Americans worked remotely as a result of the pandemic. And while many have or will return to work, more than 20% anticipate a mix of in-office and remote work to continue - meaning the desire for a home office doesn't appear to be going anywhere.
If you're selling, discuss with your real estate agent how to best position your home in this post-pandemic era.
"It may be worth transforming a dining room into a home office or turning a little corner of your home into a reading nook," Kazantzis said.
While the pandemic has changed the primary features in which buyers are interested, some haven't changed, including:
- Laundry Room
- Patio
- Garage Storage
- Walk-In Pantry
- Updated Kitchens and Baths
According to daveramsey.com, "If you’re thinking of making some upgrades to your home, choosing one of those might have millennials showering you with offers when you’re ready to sell." https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/real-estate-trends
Of course, Kazantzis Real Estate has a team of experts ready to help you make your home stand out to buyers.