During her 17-year career as a real estate agent, Howard Hanna’s Suzanne Deering has sold houses to families just starting out to those looking for something more top-of-the-line. The lifelong Clevelander, who has a knack for finding the perfect place for her clients, shares what high-end homebuyers should have on their wish lists.
Keep it interesting: Get that “wow factor” with spacious kitchens with high-end appliances or gorgeous finishes and cabinets. “People are looking for a big kitchen where you can entertain,” she says. For families, Deering also says that having dedicated places such as finished basements where kids can hunker down and spread out is also popular.
Be ready: Don’t underestimate the appeal of a turnkey home. Move-in-ready houses are attractive, especially if the buyer is relocating to Northeast Ohio. “The thought of a big project can be daunting with the other changes,” she says. She also adds that the area’s tight inventory makes updated homes tantalizing. “When something really great comes on, it sells rather quickly.”
Go old school: Although potential homeowners want new and updated homes and appliances, there’s also a nostalgic pull toward having it all in a neighborhood with an old-fashioned, cozy feel. “There are streets in Pepper Pike — like Landerwood, Creekside, Edgewood and Woodleigh — that are more neighborhood-feeling than some other areas,” Deering says.
