5 Top Home Features in 2023 Chattanooga Area
Top Home Features Buyers Want
Many of the trends and requests from home buyers this year are linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which forced us to change the way we live and work at home. Home buyers are also thinking more about the future and how long they will live in their homes. Some clients even say they plan to stay in their chosen home for a long time, thus influencing the features they are looking for. Here are the 5 top home features:
Many home buyers in 2023 are looking for homes with a great backyard that can be turned into an inviting outdoor living space. In fact, there has been a 22% increase in requests for this particular feature compared to last year making backyards one of the five top home features Chattanooga buyers are looking for in a home. Even though COVID restrictions have been lifted, people have realized how enjoyable it is to entertain at home in a carefully designed outdoor area, essentially creating another room in the house.
As stated before, a lot of homeowners and current buyers are looking to stay in their chosen home for the long term, and with concerns about sustainability and cost-cutting, a backyard can become more than just an entertainment space. It can also be used for growing food, raising livestock, or even as a place to add additional storage or create a detached office. By utilizing the backyard in these ways, it can actually save homeowners money in the long run.
Home buyers are concerned with sustainability and energy efficiency. They want a home that will leave a small environmental footprint and reduce their cost of living. Even though buyers may not mention energy efficiency right away, it is often a high priority making it on the top home features list. Once they choose a home, I provide them with a list of utilities showing their average cost over a full calendar year. People want ways to save money on everyday expenses, like the cost of electricity.
There are several ways to reduce the cost of living and improve energy efficiency with the following top home features such as using LED lights, energy-efficient appliances, good insulation, and energy-efficient windows and doors. The EPB program in Chattanooga offers a free service to residents that can provide education on how to make homes more energy efficient. Starting with energy-efficient windows is often the first step. If you don’t have EPB as your provider, check with your local provider for similar programs.
Young adults who are first-time home buyers are more aware of the impact of human activities on the environment. They want to leave a small environmental footprint and look for sustainable features in homes. Solar panels are an excellent choice, as they can save on future energy costs and positively impact the environment. Smart charging stations and thermostats can also reduce energy use and cost, as well as water-efficient plumbing and high-efficiency toilets, which can save gallons of water each year.
More and more home buyers are interested in using technology to improve their daily lives. They want security features like alarms and cameras, which are becoming more affordable and advanced. With new apps, you can control the temperature, lighting, and security settings. You can also talk to someone at your front door from anywhere in the world. These top home features are becoming more common in the industry.
Smart features like these not only add convenience but can also reduce the cost of living. They can make your home more comfortable and remind you of things you need to do. Technology has also improved furniture engineering, allowing for multiple uses in one piece of furniture and making better use of space. It’s now easy and cost-effective to add these features to an existing home or build them into new construction.
So many of the trends and buyer requests that we’re seeing this year have their roots in 2020 and COVID-19.
- Great Kitchens: In 2020, many of us were forced to eat and entertain at home, and as a result, the desire for a great kitchen increased from its already prominent spot on a Buyer’s “want” list. The kitchen is often the center of a home, where we gather for good food and conversation. People want a functional and beautiful kitchen that’s efficient in design.
- Home Office/Flex Room: The pandemic also led to a rise in remote work, and many of us had to adjust our living spaces to accommodate a home office. Now, people want a home office that can also double as a guest room or a multipurpose space.
- Private Spaces: Spending more time at home meant that people had to live and work in the same space, leading to a demand for designated private spaces. While open concept homes are still popular, homes with intentional rooms are becoming more desirable in 2023.
Many people in Chattanooga love the outdoors and want to live close to nature. This is why location amenities are on the list of top home features important to home buyers in the Chattanooga area.
- River/Lake Access: The Tennessee River and Chickamauga Dam are popular places for residents to enjoy water activities. Homes with access to a marina or direct water access are highly desired.
- Mountain View/On the Mountain: Chattanooga is surrounded by mountains like Lookout, Signal, Racoon, Elder, and Aetna, and many buyers want to live in the mountains or have a home with a view of the mountains.
- At the end of the day, regardless of where you are in the Greater Chattanooga area, you’re never far away from the outdoor spaces that make us The Scenic City.
Buyers in the Greater Chattanooga Area are looking for specific top home features in their homes: great backyards, sustainability and energy-efficiency, smart home features, location amenities, great kitchens, home offices, and private spaces. These five top home features are essential to buyers, as well as current homeowners. If you are planning to sell your home, consider if your home has, or could add these features to increase its value to attract potential buyers for a quick sale at the best possible price.
