We all have our own likes and dislikes about other people’s homes. But when it comes to features that are generally going out of style or are obviously outdated, buyers get turned off. Sure, a segment of buyers will do their own renovations, but that comes with the expectation of a fixer upper price. Most buyers want move-in ready. Whether you’re planning to sell or just wondering what you might get for your home these days, consider which of these things you might need to change first.
Wall-to-Wall Mirrors. This once-trendy feature probably hasn’t been popular since the late 1980s. While large mirrors certainly help give the illusion of a larger room, the negative effect of “dated” isn’t worth the trade off. Remove the mirrors, patch up the walls, and switch to a modern paint color. You can use strategic furniture sizes and arrangements if you need the room to appear larger.
Carpet. While carpet is still viewed as acceptable in bedrooms and recreation rooms, generally people want hardwood, laminate tile, or other modern flooring in the rest of the house. Carpets tend to trap dirt and odors more.
Barn Doors. This one might be controversial. Lots of people still have barn doors. It was a trend created by popular design television shows. But many who have been there, done that, don’t find them practical beyond saving space. They can make a room look smaller, they don’t block out noise as well, and they are louder to operate than a typical door.
High Maintenance Gardens. While this one alone probably won’t send buyers running, it could help stack the cards against the good feels of a home. The busy family today wants a low maintenance garden. Plants that don’t require much watering and mulch, pine, or gravel coverings are about as simple as it can get. Home owners can always spruce up a yard with potted plants or planted annuals.
Popcorn Ceilings. These bumpy, heavily textured ceilings were installed well into the 1990s. A smoother, cleaner look is in style now. It’s no small project to change ceilings throughout the house, so you might opt to make sure the rest of the house is so pristine, no one will bother looking up at the ceilings.
Wet Bar. Back in the day, the at-home cocktail hour gained popularity and everyone wanted a wet bar near the family room. Younger generations today scratch their heads when they see one and don’t understand the history. Needless to say, remove the wet bar if you have one and enjoy some newly found space.
Outdated Furniture. Even though we know furniture is supposed to leave when the house is sold, psychologically, any drab or outdated furniture pieces (think bold, flowery prints) tend to create a negative opinion in the eyes of home buyers. Even if the space works for a buyer, they might simply feel turned off by the aura of worn-out couches that look like a scene from the 1980s. It’s better to show the home empty than full of older furniture. Or if you have some modern furniture, just remove the more offending pieces.
Bathroom Jetted Tubs. They take up a ton of space, they’re noisy, and they are costly to keep in good working condition. They also require more water for use. These once-coveted tubs are out and soaking tubs are back in. Don’t mistake a jetted tub as the hot item they once were in the ’80s and ’90s. Remember, kitchens and bathrooms are the key rooms for keeping up home value. Replace those oversized square blocks with a curved or rounded corner soaking tub.
Real Estate Term of the Week
Home Equity Loan: A type of loan in which the borrower uses the equity of his or her home as collateral. Home equity loans are often used to finance major expenses such as home repairs or renovation. A home equity loan creates a lien against the borrower’s house and reduces actual home equity.