Educating my customers about the audience they’ll be advertising to is among the most important items a home stager can do. When you set your house on the market to market, you should be aware that another owner will probably be younger than you are. That is why you need to stop thinking about what you want or want in a house and begin thinking about what your most likely buyer will need.
Found Design
1. Stick with warm, neutral walls. If your target demographic is “young professional” or “young household,” try having a warm grey as a neutral wall color. The gold or pinky-beige wall color you chose 10 years ago will seem outdated to this new group of buyers. On-trend neutrals like grays allow prospective homeowners to picture bringing in complementary colors and clean-lined furnishings to make it their own.
Carolina Design Associates
2. Put money into white cabinetry. Many home buyers younger than 40 prefer white or off-white kitchen cabinetry. They don’t want to see their momma’s dark kitchen chimney in their new house! Consider a kitchen facelift if you have dark kitchen cabinetry with crimson or red undertones. Benjamin Moore’s Advance is a fantastic paint to take into account. It is a hybrid of latex and oil, and it requires very little prep work.
Turan Designs, Inc..
3. Update your appliances. Many younger home buyers can’t fathom buying a house without stainless steel appliances. You’ll need to upgrade your almond ones with stainless replacements prior to putting it on the market.
Global Granite & Marble
Impala Black
4. Look for easy stone countertops. Granite and stone countertops are a must-have for most young house buyers — it will make the distinction between whether they choose your house or your neighbor’s house. But don’t make the mistake of installing active or taste-specific granite that may not appeal to everybody. If you’re planning to maintain your house for quite a while, go for it — but not if you plan to sell within the next few years.
Rather, choose a granite that is practically black or something with a minimum of colors and veining. Anything more might be a turnoff to all those picky younger buyers.
Peter A. Sellar – Architectural Photographer
5. Open your shower space. Young professionals enjoy big, open glass showers. The garden-variety bathtub isn’t where it’s at no cost.
Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders
6. Keep it easy for families with kids. People with young children are less likely to need a fixer-upper. If your target demographic is “young family with little kids,” it’s important your property be prepared for them to move right in. Be certain the house has no unfinished jobs or red flags for families.
7. Consider selling your house as a fixer-upper. If your area is becoming a mecca for young professionals, then there may be some appeal to the fixer-upper if the price is correct. These younger adults without children could have the time, energy and creativity for making over an older home. Even so, the price is going to have to be lower than if it had been picture perfect.
Inform us What have you learned about demographics out of your house selling and staging experiences?
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