Time to renovate, update, or upgrade your home? It’s important to take into consideration which projects will net the greatest profit when it’s time to sell. Some upgrades and renos can garner better returns than others, but did you know some can also help your home sell faster? Here are a few projects that have been been found to help reduce the number of days a home stays on the market*.

Smart Home Features

As we’ve discussed before, features like smart locks, thermostats, and refrigerators make life just a little bit easier for homeowners. Being able to open doors with a numeric code or even a fingerprint; check the contents of the fridge while at the grocery store; and adjust the thermostat from literally anywhere rank high among desirable features for our increasingly tech-forward population.

Walk-In Closets

Closet space sometimes comes at a premium, and walk-in closets are just as in demand now as they were ten years ago. With all the open-plan living that’s so popular right now, it’s important to have a good amount of concealed storage space. Besides being able to hold more, walk-in closets are easier to organize than their smaller counterparts.

Granite Countertops

Buyers want modern kitchens, and granite countertops are among one of the most popular modern kitchen features. Buyers actually rank laminate counters as one of their top “unwanted” items during their home search. A note: flowing granite patterns look more streamlined and are more popular than busier speckled patterns.

Open Kitchens

Open floor plans continue to be popular in home design. Homeowners who entertain love the fact that an open kitchen means not having to be isolated while prepping dinner and drinks for their guests.

Dining Rooms and Eat-In Kitchens

In a society that leans heavily on technology and has become less interactive with the people around us, the family dinner table has become even more important than it was in the past. Parents want to connect with their children and have valuable conversation time during dinner. For example, a formal dining room allows for family dinner without distractions, while an eat-in kitchen lets families enjoy quick meals together or provides a place for the kids to do homework while parents make dinner.

Hardwood Floors

The desire for hardwood floors spans generations. Whether your prospective buyers are millennials or baby boomers, it seems that hardwood floors are a huge plus. Sure, hardwood floors look pretty, but they’re also easier to clean and hold fewer allergens than carpet. Combine beautiful hardwoods with an open floor plan, and you’re golden.

Laundry Rooms

While it’s not difficult to hide the washer and dryer in a closet or smaller utility room, it’s certainly not as convenient as having a separate indoor laundry room. In fact, a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders reported that 92% of homebuyers are looking for a home with a laundry room.

Patios and Porches

We’re lucky enough to live in a part of the country where spending time outdoors is possible during all four seasons. This makes patios and porches extremely desirable in the Lowcountry. After all, what goes together better than southern culture, sweet tea, and front porches?

Energy Star Appliances

Not only can Energy Star appliances help you save money on your utility bills, but they can also garner tax credits for some homeowners. Look for the Energy Star label when it’s time to upgrade your appliances.

Fireplaces

Charleston winters might be pretty mild overall, but fireplaces come in handy when we do get cold snaps. They also make a home seem cozier and more inviting. Whether it’s a wood-burning, gas, or electric one, who doesn’t love the ambience a fireplace provides?

 

*according to research done by Realtor.com