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 Features to Look For and Watch Out For
Features can include architectural details, a floor plan, a window style, a kitchen plan, a basement, a garage, bathrooms and so forth. Some features add to the enjoyment of the home, others add to its resale value and some add to both. Then there are features that are negative qualities to some buyers and positive to others. When you begin looking for your new home, consider some of the following features and how important they are to you.
View and Landscaping
Is a view, such as: woods, lake, city lights, valuable? No one can be certain exactly what a given buyer might be willing to pay for a view until that buyer makes an offer. The word "view" is generally applied to the distant horizon, but in fact your windows may look out on beauty close at hand, such as a stream or pond.
If you should fall in love with a house with a view, try to buy it without paying for the view. Get comparables and make your first offer at a price slightly below the market value for a similar house without a view. If the sellers hold firm on their price, however, you will then have to decide exactly how much that view is worth to you.
Siting
Which way is east? North? The ansers will affect your heating bill and maybe even your disposition. Which rooms will have morning light? Which will bask in the afternoon sun?? Are there rooms that will remain dark most of the day?
Style
Usually, style will positively affect investment potential if it harmonizes with the area and negatively affect it if it jars the eye. If resale value with the area and speed are unimportant to you, you can feel free to choose the unusual or offbeat. If investment appreciation and resale are essential to your purchase, stick with the prevailing styles in that area.
Construction Materials
Construction materials vary across the U.S. Stucco is an attractive and widely used material throughout the South, with good buyer acceptance. In the North, however, stucco houses can be hard to sell because their unjointed surfaces are subject to cracking from the changes in weather. Vinyl or aluminum siding may or may not add to the resale value, but will probably save you maintenance time and money. However, vinyl or aluminum siding over a house in a historic district is considered an abomination and would not be permitted.
Driveways
Blacktop and concrete driveways are most preferred and add to resale speed and value as well as to the owner's convenience. Gravel driveways, however, are usually a resale and convenience minus. They are muddy in wet weather and dusty in dry. They are also more difficult to clear in the winter and require time each spring to pick the stones from the lawn near the driveway.
A large turnaround or circular drive is nice but does not affect the selling price. A particularly long or steep driveway may not significantly affect resale value but will usually increase the length of time needed to sell the property.
Garages
Consider the number of cars in your family. Where will they all be parked? Will it be convenient to all of the residents of the house? Will it conform to the covenants of the neighborhood where you are looking?
The attached 2-car garage is the most popular choice. Garages that are 8-10 feet wider the the size needed for 2 cars are better yet. The extra space can be used to store the lawnmower, snowblower, bicycles and other outdoor equipment.
Decks, Patios and Porches
Any place to site or eat outdoors, while still near the house is almost always a plus for both comfort and resale.
Windows
Self-insulating windows and sliding glass doors are often considered such positive features that they are specifically mentioned by brand name in advertisements. In the North, an added storm window may provide additional security against the cold.
Entranceway
The front entrance may not be used often but is very important to the "first impression" when considering resale value. The back entrance, which will be used most of the time, should large enough so that dirty shoes, boots or clothes can be deposited. Preferably the laundry room is nearby for convenience. An actual mud room or half bath is very nice to have near the back entrance.
Kitchens
Most buyers perfer the eat-in kitchen. In contrast the long, narrow "pullman-style" kitchens may not be as popular. Center islands are positive as are sinks placed next to a window. Counter cabinet space should be considered. Is there enough for your needs? And don't forget the broom closet. Many older homes do not have them. Coat closets, pantries and laundry rooms are often used to house the broom, vacuum cleaner and mop.
Bathrooms
Two full baths, if not more, seem to be the desired number of bathrooms for today's home buyer. Consider the placement of the bathroom, whether it has a walk-in shower or shower over tub, the age of the fixtures, and the condition of the floor when looking at homes. Is there a vented fan installed? Are there enough electrical outlets?
Closets
There never seem to be enough closets. Large closets are a selling point and a walk-in closet in the master bedroom seems to be a must-have. But while looking at a home also consider closets in the following areas: foyer or front hall, linen closet, utility closet, and back door closet.
Bedrooms
We'd like all the bedrooms to be large, but that type of feature ranks in the luxury range. Most homes contain one large bedroom. The others are medium sized with at least one bedroom being on the small side. If the bedroom seems small, consider the wall space for hanging extra shelves or the closet size. It may be possible to put a small dresser inside the closet to save floor space.
Family Rooms
Today's family room (or rec room) is more important than the living room. It is usually larger than the living room and may even be included in the kitchen eating area as a great room. Some may contain fireplaces and built-ins. The most important thing to consider is it's location and size. Since it will be used most often, it should be convenient and comfortable.
Living Rooms
In a house without a family room, the living room should be as big as possible. Most living rooms that are used for formal entertaining are best located out of the main traffic area. A fireplace may also be a nice touch.
Dining Rooms
Formal dining rooms are a small type of luxury. Dining rooms may take up a portion of the formal living room or they may be separate rooms. Either way they should have direct access to the kitchen for easy food serving. Most people opt to use a common dining area that they dress up for more formal dining when company arrives. Formal dining rooms add to the square footage of a home, thus possibly increasing the total cost.
Attics
The old-fashioned attic with a real staircase will only be found with the older home. today's modern attics are much less accessible, using a pull-down ladder or trap door in the ceiling for a small crawl space. Many modern attics are no longer used for storage.
Basements
Basements (primarily in the North) are high on a buyer's demand list and high on the home owner's convenience list. Utilities such as water heater, furnace and sometimes washer and dryer are kept in the basement. Basements are used for rec rooms, kids' play areas and extra storage space. Check for dryness in the basement and any indication of leaks from the foundation. How much time will you spend in the basement? How is the basement heated? Is there a phone or cable tv connection? Consider your needs and uses for a basement and make sure that it will accommodate yours.
Heating
Gas heat is probably the most popular choice for heating your home. Oil heat requires periodic delivery and is probably found in older homes. Electric is the most expensive, but convenient, and you can often heat rooms at different temperatures. Hot water heat is another choice which radiates a nice moist heat, very good for allergy sufferers. Although it takes a bit longer for a room to warm up with radiated heat versus forced air heat. Also remember that if you have radiated heat you do not have the duct work to use for central air conditioning.
Floor Plans and Traffic Patterns
If you are purchasing an existing home, it is not likely that there will be a floor plan that you can take with you. When you walk through the home, jot down the location of the rooms, doors, and windows. This will help you compare the house to others as you begin your house hunting adventure.
Here are some important traffic pattern questions:
- Are there rooms that must be walked through in order to reach other rooms?
- How do you get from the kitchen to the backyard?
- Where will guests enter the home?
- What is the traffic pattern between the family living area and the most often used lavatory?
- What is the traffic pattern for bringing groceries and other merchandise into the house?
- What is the distance and traffic pattern between the family room and the kitchen?
- Are any of the hallways particularly long or dark?
- How are the bedrooms laid out?
- Where is the washer and dryer located?
- Which features are important to you? Fill out our Features Checklist and we'll help find the perfect home for your family.
If this article did not answer all of your questions about this topic, please call us and a Knecht representative will be happy to explain all the details and legalities that are involved with selling or buying real estate property.
920-921-0396
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