Everyone knows location sells, but features like and open floor plan and higher ceilings also make a New Orleans property attractive to buyers.
What New Orleans Buyers Are Really Looking for
When homeowners put a house up for sale, they hope it will be attractive to prospective buyers for a variety of reasons: the neighborhood, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a spacious backyard. After all, their family has called it home for years.
But what are New Orleans homebuyers really looking for, and does your home offer these features?
Practicality
Today’s homebuyers are typically looking for a home that is focused on function, with an open-concept feel and an absence of clutter. They want to buy what they really need, not something they’ll never use and can’t afford. For these reasons, many put homes with an open floor plan — which makes the space feel bigger — at the top of their wish list.
Flexibility
Formal living rooms and big dining rooms are a thing of the past for many families. What do they find more desirable? Many are looking for a home office or a second bedroom to accommodate an aging relative. If your home is flexible enough that potential buyers can picture using it to suit their unique needs, it will likely sell relatively quickly.
Higher Ceilings
Many families are looking for a spacious, open feel, but can’t afford a large, sprawling home, particularly in the most desirable New Orleans neighborhoods. Nine- or 10-foot ceilings create a spacious, open feeling and the illusion of bigger rooms without the extra square footage.
First-Floor Master Suite
As the homebuying population begins to age, many want a home that they can stay in, even as they grow older. A main-floor bedroom and attached bathroom (commonly called a master suite) can allow them to do just that, without the need to go up and down stairs to the second floor, where the children’s bedrooms might be located.
Large Kitchens
Kitchens are now the center of many homes, and a must for many homebuyers is a large kitchen island that serves a variety of purposes — extra seating, additional cabinets, more room for food preparation, and desk space for afterschool homework. Open shelving is also extremely sought-after since it contributes to the open concept feeling and gives easy access to frequently used items.
Smart Storage
While open floor plans are popular, clutter is not. Out-of-sight storage is a must for homebuyers who have a lot of stuff but don’t want it out in the open for all to see. Many buyers are willing to pay for a large, dedicated pantry space where most kitchen items can be organized and stored.
Spacious Bathrooms
Roomy custom showers with open entries and plenty of space for soap, shampoo, and other necessities are now favored over whirlpool bathtubs, although freestanding soaking tubs are a feature that high-end buyers are often looking for. Other extras that homebuyers appreciate: humidity-controlled exhaust fans, built-in nightlights, and high-tech faucets.
Accessible Laundry Rooms
Doing laundry in the basement or in a shed is no longer acceptable for many families, who are looking instead for first- or second-floor laundry rooms adjacent to the bedrooms. Bigger laundry rooms with space for a worktable or a dog-washing station are also becoming more sought after among today’s discriminating homebuyers.
Are you looking to sell your home in New Orleans? The Realtors at Satsuma Realtors can help you get your home MLS-ready and ensure you receive the highest offer possible. Contact us today to discuss your home and goals for your property.