I am often asked what style of home is most likely to attract the most buyers when people start looking for homes to remodel. That’s always a tough question, because people’s tastes vary in different parts of the country. What’s hot in one may be a dog on the market in another, and certain people who would prefer a particular style of home, no matter where they lived.
The best advice I can give you is to drive around your target area to see the competition in your price range. You’ll also want to know the features, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and extra amenities added.
Once you have an idea of the types of homes that are selling best in your area, you’ll know what style of home to look for, but you’ll still need to make your home stand out. What I do is try to add decorative touches to give a house a little more class and style without spending a lot of money. Things like shutters and window boxes can make a big difference to a home’s curb appeal, but they don’t cost a lot and are easy to install. It can make enough of a difference to entice a buyer to bid on your house instead of one that is essentially the same but a bit simpler.
A little bit of simple landscaping can also make a big difference in the look of a home. Again, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. You just have to create an attractive appearance from the street that encourages people to come in for a closer look. Shrubs and annuals can greatly increase a home’s curb appeal without reducing your bottom line. This is especially important if you are trying to sell a simple country house. Your goal should be to soften the hard edges of the house and create a feeling of warmth and friendliness.
In the end, there is no hard and fast answer as to what type of house sells best. Whatever type of home you are trying to change, it has to have been done right and it has to offer the potential buyer a feeling of welcome when they walk in the front door. If you can maintain that homey feeling during a walk-through inspection, your chances of selling any type of home are good.
