Intro
As a designer, decorator, home stager, or real estate professional, you’ve probably wondered what sorts of things homebuyers look for during their search to find the perfect home. We talked to a real estate professional to find out the details.
I sat down with Adrien Samarasinha, a realtor with Remax Metropolis Realty Brokerage, to gain some insight in hopes of better understanding design from a homebuyer’s perspective.
The Essentials
Mansi: From your experience, what are some of the most important design elements that homebuyers look for in a home?
Adrien: There are several factors that homebuyers look for and it depends largely on their family situation. Families with young children are fixated on the neighborhood rather than the design of the home. They want to live in an area with good schools, parks, playgrounds, community centres, etc.
You’ll also get the investor clients, who have their perspectives, agendas, and checklists of things they look for. They are in it for the sole purpose of making a profit. They try to purchase properties that they can easily rent out and are in high-demand neighborhoods.
Design-wise, I would say that most buyers look for the same things. They want the kitchen and bathrooms to be updated.
Interior Design
Mansi: This leads us to the next question. How important is the design of the kitchen and bathrooms?
Adrien: This is one of the most important design factors for homebuyers. Most homebuyers with young children do not want to move into a home that needs extensive renovation. Homebuyers gravitate towards updated and timeless kitchen and bathroom designs.
Open-concept kitchens are also a big selling point for homebuyers. People like to entertain and cook and have the kids in the same area rather than in separate rooms.
Having to renovate these spaces is not always off-limits, but homebuyers have to pre-plan for this in their budget beforehand.
Age
Mansi: Do you find that homebuyers are looking for older fixer-uppers or new builds?
Adrien: The younger generation gravitates towards the new builds. They tend to be a little bit smaller and more affordable.
Older homes pose their challenges and not everyone is willing to make this investment, especially in today’s market.
The majority of people are opting for more interior space than exterior as most of our time is spent indoors. Working from home has also changed the way people live and this is a big factor in spending time indoors and having adequate space for all your needs.
Location Location Location
Mansi: Are homebuyers willing to compromise on the location/neighborhood of the home if they love the design?
Adrien: Yes, certain clients know exactly what they are looking for design-wise and are willing to move further and further away from the city to get this. I like to set the expectations from the get-go about location versus design and the type of home. This is an eye-opening experience, especially for first-time homebuyers.
Families with young children tend to look for homes they can live in for 10-15 years and often opt for a large detached house outside of the city. This way, they don’t compromise on design and get the space they need.
Clients who work from home also prefer this as this new lifestyle doesn’t require them to be in the city 5 days a week.
Sustainability
Mansi: Do you find that homebuyers are more conscious of environmental factors and energy efficiency and is there a focus on this when house hunting? If so, what sorts of things do they look for?
Adrien: The newer generation is more concerned about the impacts their home has on the environment. They look for things like new furnaces and water heater systems that are more energy efficient. They are also more interested in smart home technology and often look for upgraded thermostats and smart home lighting as ways to save energy and money. If homes do not have these features, most of my younger clients are budgeting to have these added in shortly after they move in. It’s a short-term investment with a long-term impact.
I find that my older clients are more set in their ways and have a different mindset. They are used to things being a certain way and don’t care as much about sustainability and smart home technology.
One thing I can expect to see more of in the future is the use of solar panels to power homes. This is becoming increasingly popular, but is a huge initial investment that a lot of my clients cannot prioritize.
Exterior Design
Mansi: Are there any key exterior design and architectural features that homebuyers look for?
Adrien: No one really likes the look of red bricks anymore; I find that a lot of my clients don’t gravitate towards this design at all. Most of the home buyers I work with want a contemporary or modern exterior for their home.
Other exterior features that are always a good selling point are having a nice outdoor patio, interlocking, and landscaping that adds curb appeal. Homeowners notice these things, but I would say they have to fall in love with the interior first before they look at the exterior elements the property has to offer. Curb appeal sets a tone when buyers are looking for properties as this is what they will see first walking into a home.
Key Takeaways
Adrien was able to provide some great insight into the key elements homebuyers look out for when searching for their new home. Interest rates and family situations play a big role in the design of a home. Oftentimes, homeowners want or gravitate towards a certain design, but their family situation might dictate otherwise. High interest rates also don’t allow homeowners to renovate extensively and this impacts their decisions to purchase newer, move-in ready homes.
Featured
Adrien Samarasinha | Realtor
M: 416-803-4292
Remax Metropolis Realty Brokerage
The Home of the Best in Real Estate & Those Who Aspire to Be
8321 Kennedy Rd Unit 92, Markham, ON L3R 5N4
Independently Owned & Operated
