When house shopping for the first time, it’s easy to let emotions be your guide. But Yvonne Highley, an associate broker at Keller Williams Chervenic, advises clients to get beyond the instant attraction and consider what future buyers might want. “Any prudent buyer should have concerns about their home’s resale value,” Highley says. “If you ever go to sell it, you’re going to want to recoup the investment and maybe make a profit.” Highley provides three important resale factors to consider before committing.
Location: You can fix an ugly house, but you can’t change its address. One of the key factors when considering a home is the quality of the neighborhood schools, says Highley. “Good school systems seem to go hand in hand with resale values,” Highley says.
Layout: The most desirable floor plans to future buyers are ones that function well. “The layout has to flow,” Highley says. If you want to add value to that flow, Highley recommends an additional first floor master bedroom as a good investment. “Buyers — especially older ones — don’t like to climb steps to get to bed,” she explains.
Condition of the home: It’s easy to fall in love with a picture. But online photos don’t tell the whole story, Highley says. It’s important to get an inspection and appraisal to avoid falling into a money pit. And don’t assume you can just fix the problems yourself by watching a few YouTube videos. “Down the road, buyers will notice your mistakes,” Highley says. “And they’re not going to pay for them.”
