If you're looking for a new home, you'll need to determine what features are important to you as you begin your search. And if you're putting your home on the market, it helps to know what buyers want so you can highlight these features in your home if you already have them or consider adding some of them if you don't.
  
Our real estate agents share the following seven things homebuyers are looking for this summer:

1. Energy-Efficient Features
   Homebuyers are looking for energy-efficient home features that are environmentally friendly and will help them save money on their energy bills month after month. Solar panels, double-paned windows, efficient heating and cooling systems, ENERGY-STAR-rated appliances, and energy-efficient lighting are some of the features they like to see. If you're selling a home that has some of these coveted upgrades, make sure to highlight them. And if your home doesn't already have any of these features, you can add energy-efficient lighting quite inexpensively.
   
   
2. Outdoor Living Spaces
   Outdoor gathering spots have become a popular way to add to a home's living space as people spend more time at home. Spending time outdoors at home has also become more of a trend in recent years, so it's not surprising that prospective homeowners love to see enhanced outdoor spaces. Buyers are looking for porches, decks, attractive landscaping, and exterior lighting, along with features like outdoor kitchens and fireplaces in higher-end homes.
   
   
3. Smart Home Features
   Smart home technology helps make a home more comfortable and energy-efficient while making systems easier and more convenient to use. Amenities such as smart lights, sprinkler systems, thermostats, and security systems are appealing to buyers, especially younger ones who have grown up with technology. If you're a homebuyer, these features can add value to a home but don't become too enamored of them. Technology can evolve quickly, so what makes you ooh and aah today may soon be out of date.
   
   
4. Lots of Storage
   You'll never hear a homebuyer say, "This house has too much storage!" No one wants a cluttered home, so homebuyers are looking for extra storage as a way to efficiently store their belongings. The kitchen can make or break a sale, so abundant kitchen cabinetry and walk-in pantries are important to buyers. 
   
   
5. Updated Kitchens
   From preparing everyday meals to entertaining, the kitchen is one of the most important parts of any home. Updates such as granite or quartz countertops aren't hugely expensive and can help homes sell more quickly. Double-basin sinks, a central kitchen island, and drinking water filtration are additional kitchen amenities homebuyers look for. 
   
   
6. An Open Floor Plan
   Open floor plans have been popular for a while, and they remain that way for the vast majority of homebuyers. Openness between the kitchen and dining room is most sought-after, followed by between the kitchen and family room and then the dining and family room. An open layout better optimizes square footage and provides better lighting. It also creates a nice flow from room to room and is ideal for entertaining.
   
   
7. Matte Black Hardware and Fixtures  
   Buyers like to see matte black hardware and fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms, where they create a minimalist look that's also elegant and timeless. Combining matte black with finishes like gold or bronze can also be a hit with buyers.

Contact us today for help with your home buying and selling needs throughout Central Florida and southeastern Georgia.