Millennial buyers, this one’s for you! Your cohort has different needs and wants when it comes to your homes, versus previous generations. For a variety of reasons, you’ve waited longer before purchasing, but your generation comprises approximately a third of all buyers. Now that you’re ready to buy, here are a few features to look for in your search for the perfect home.
Tech-Savvy Millennial Buyers
Since you’ve grown up with the internet and technology at your fingertips, it’s not surprising that you would want your home to be technologically savvy. When viewing homes, check for installed outlets that include USB ports and a whole-home smart Wi-Fi thermostat. Other features to request include Bluetooth systems and installed entertainment speakers. If the owner has made these changes, it’ll save you money and make you feel instantly at home.
Environmentally Friendly
Ask about the home’s environmentally friendly features. Are there water-saving faucets and toilets? Has the HVAC system been upgraded to a more energy-efficient model? Are the doors and windows energy-efficient? These will keep your heating and cooling costs down, which will help your tight budget.
Low Outdoor Maintenance
Gardens and lawns that require lots of hands-on work are a turn-off to millennial buyers. We get it. But go ahead and ask about ways to simplify the yard work. Hardy native plants and grasses are a great alternative that require less maintenance and less watering.
Appliances for Millennial Buyers
Ask if the kitchen appliances and washer/dryer have been upgraded to Energy Star models. Sometimes the refrigerator has smartphone capabilities. If not, is the seller willing to give you an appliance allowance?
Luxe Interior Spaces
Look for homes that have recent kitchen and master bathroom updates. If you can move into a house where these have been completed, you’ll save time, energy, and money. If they haven’t been done, ask for concessions from the seller. This might be cashback or money off the sales price that would offset your renovation costs.
Open Floor Plans
If the homes you’re looking at are older and seem closed in, talk to a contractor to see if a wall can be removed to make a more open floor plan that appeals to you. Sometimes a few small changes can turn a home into your dream space for millennial buyers.
Related – Is It Ever Smart to Build the Biggest or Smallest House in the Neighborhood?