Chicago real estate, living and neighborhood perspective

Homebuyers Desires

©2010 Sherwin Sucaldito. All rights reserved worldwide. May not be reproduced, retransmitted or saved in any manner without express consent of owner. Buyers have a long list of what they want when home shopping, but one of their biggest desires: A good deal.  And not surprising considering that market recovery, foreclosures and motivated sellers are basic terms in copy texts.

But that’s not all they want. Bankrate.com recently asked real estate professionals to chime in on the top desires of their buyers when home shopping. Here are four things that made the list of top home buyer preferences:

1. Homes that are in good condition.

With many homes being sold as distressed or in need of repairs, homebuyers are deciding whether to put funds towards down payment or towards upgrades/repairs in the future.  Even if a home is not updated but is still in solid shape, it could be a strong candidate versus a newer home that has been damaged, neglected or even broken into.  Sometimes the latter is not in sufficient shape to be habitable, sometimes a requirement for closing (depending on purchase type and financing used).

2. A bargain with incentives.

With high inventory of foreclosed homes, unsold developments and resales, many buyers feel they carry leverage during negotiations.  Sometimes they do.  Sometimes not.  It is really dependent on area and market dynamics.  Areas with high inventory, low home sales may be more willing to negotiate prices or offer concessions versus counterparts in high demand areas showing strong resales.  Location still rules, and prices may not return to what they were a few years ago and buyers know that.  Buyers look to be settling in for the long haul and location will become a negotiations factor.  Those looking further away from prime areas may be in a position to ask for incentives.

3. Outdoor living areas.

Homes with screen porches, outdoor kitchens, two-way fireplaces are becoming increasingly competitive in the marketplace as more home buyers say they want more outdoor living space.  Not surprising as many are making the move back into metropolitan areas where they are closer (sometimes within walking distance) to work, schools, shopping and transportation.

4. Open kitchens.

Many new developments and homeowners rehabbing started incorporating this feature years ago, opting for more open feel versus separate rooms that many felt “closed off” or “smaller.”  Open kitchens (as well as other rooms) help make spaces feel larger, allow more light to pass through and create more balanced environments.  Many enjoy the open layout for entertaining, or even for families who can be in “different rooms” but not really separated.

Sherwin is a REALTOR® in the Chicago & Suburban area with @properties. Questions can be forwarded to Sherwin Sucaldito. Originally posted at Realty Evolved

 


Sherwin L. Sucaldito, REALTOR®, GREEN, ABR, CRPM
@properties
The Institute of Luxury Home Marketing
Green REsource Council, GREEN
Accredited Buyer’s Representative , ABR
Certified Residential Property Manager, CRPM

Creative Commons LicenseHomebuyers Desires” by Sherwin Sucaldito is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Original List taken from: “9 Items Homebuyers Desire in 2011,” Bankrate.com (March 2011) with additional comments added to by Sherwin Sucaldito.  Photo © Copyright 2011 Sherwin Sucaldito.  All rights reserved worldwide.

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