What Do Austin Home Buyers Want the Most?
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the “normal” in our lives in so many different ways. One way that you wouldn’t necessarily think of is the features that many Austin homebuyers now say are most important when they are searching for their next home. While many of these features were always important, they have moved off of the desirable list and onto the list of absolute must-haves. If you are planning to place your home on the market this year, these are some of the features
you will want to emphasize that your home has.
1. Additional Square Footage
Okay, you are not able to add square footage, and that may be one of the reasons that you are considering purchasing a new home yourself. What you can do, and need to do, is to pare down furnishings and personal items as much as you can to make your home appear to have more space than there is.
Spread the furniture in each room out to display more open space. Think like a minimalist, less is more. Packing a smaller room with items will only make it appear to shrink in size. Adding a mirror will reflect more light and create the illusion that the room is larger than it is. Also if you have lower hanging lights consider replacing them with ceiling mounted ones. Low hanging lights can make a room seem to be smaller than it actually is.
2. Dedicated Home Office
Because of the pandemic, more and more people find themselves working from home these days. In addition, many school-age children now “go to school” at home. In a lot of cases this will become the new normal, so having room to use as a designated home office has moved higher on the list of must-haves. If your home doesn’t already have an office, redesign a spare bedroom and furnish it as an office space. It is important for people who work from home, and children “attending” class, to have the ability to limit distractions caused by other family members or pets. Having a dedicated space that can be closed off and used as a home office will provide this needed separation.
3. Media/Theater Room
A media room or home theater has always been a popular addition for homebuyers. The room doesn’t have to be set up as a media room, but buyers are looking for the space to create one. Now that people no longer want to sit in the middle of a crowded theater and possibly be exposed to the coronavirus, they are seeking a place in their home where the family can gather and enjoy entertainment in a safe environment. If your home doesn’t already have this type of room, you can incorporate a media/theater room into any bonus space or perhaps an unused area of your basement by setting up the room with a 3d projector and screen. And the best thing is that you can take these electronics with you to your new home when you move.
4. Smart Features
Nearly half of the millennial generation, today’s largest group of homebuyers, report that having smart features is important when making their buying decision. The more popular of these smart features are affordable for you to add to your home. These features include smart thermostats, fire and smoke detectors, cameras, door locks, and lighting. Adding some or all of these high-tech features will increase your home’s appeal to today’s millennial buyers. 2021 will still be considered a real estate sellers’ market. That said, you want your home to stand out among the available homes on the market for today’s buyers. People have changed their opinions on what the most important features their next home must-have. If you can show off these features, your home will sell faster and for top dollar.
written by
Karl Kennedy
sponsored by
Austin Neighborhood Guide
Located in the rolling hills of West Austin, Barton Creek is one of Austin’s largest and oldest neighborhoods. Just 20 minutes from downtown, the exclusive neighborhood offers picturesque views, spacious homes and is surrounded by two of Austin’s most popular parks.
An established, but ever-changing neighborhood in the heart of the action. Considered the epicenter of cool, this South Austin neighborhood benefits from its proximity to oodles of cool shops and hot restaurants (many along with nearby South Lamar), a spectacular string of trails and refreshing waterways, and easy access to downtown.
Where Austin’s dynamic past and sky’s-the-limit future converge, it’s no wonder that an increasing number of residents are so drawn to the city’s energetic hub. Downtown is dotted with historical reminders of the enterprising frontier town Austin once was (see the built-for-a-cattle-baron Driskill Hotel) and is abuzz with the creative energy of the start-ups and tech companies that have been relocating here.
Often noted as the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, Dripping Springs features rolling hills and plenty of space to spread out. Dripping Springs is home to many excellent parks and recreation areas as well as award-winning wineries and the Deep Eddy Distillery.
Often noted as the fastest growing neighborhood in Austin, the eclectic and trendy eastside area has a new, robust restaurant scene and has become a popular home choice for many Austinites. East Austin is often referred to as an “authentic” view of Austin due to its unique vibe and culture.
Just 15 miles northwest of downtown Austin sits some of the area’s most scenic and luxurious neighborhoods. The Lake Travis neighborhoods are considered those bordering the Colorado River as it widens into a lake and they become highly sought-after havens for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The once quiet town Cedar Park has become one of the hottest Austin suburbs to buy a home in recent years. CP boasts all the advantages of being close to city attractions and jobs while offering its residents a small-town lifestyle.
A master-planned utopia for those who seek peak livability. Dreamed up as a New Urbanist village with more than 6,200 homes, Mueller is still expanding, adding new residents, restaurants, and retailers every week. As it keeps growing, Mueller’s mixed-use community continues to be the epitome of thoughtful, sustainable urban design.
A serene, mostly residential haven worth the short commute. The dozen of subdivisions tucked into the limestone mesas and glens between Mopac and Lake Austin sprang up between the fifties and the eighties, solidifying this neighborhood as a commuter’s paradise. With breathtaking panoramas and peaceful green spaces, it has become a densely populated residential refuge.
A traditional, tight-knit enclave just west of the city’s core. What was once farmland is now one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Austin, located just a few minutes away from downtown. Devoted residents, who love the community solidarity and the quiet, tree-lined streets, tend to put down deep roots here, so when homes become available, they’re snapped up fast.
An elegant, advantageously located homebase. Fashioned after the “garden suburbs” popular during the City Beautiful Movement, Travis Heights has always benefited from its close proximity to downtown and to now-bustling I-35. But this elegant respite has never absorbed the hectic pace of life just beyond its comfortable borders.
Incorporated as an independent suburb in 1953, West Lake Hills, with its hilly terrain and tranquil residential streets, only feels far-flung from Austin’s bustling core. A mere six miles west of downtown, this family-friendly pocket is a sought-after community.
“As a native Austinite born and raised, all of these neighborhoods have a special place in my memories and life. If you have not explored these neighborhoods in person, I would urge you to give me a call to discuss! I love speaking with new people and helping them achieve their goals!
About the Author
Marcus Roper
Broker Associate / Compass Real Estate
Principal / The Westhorn Group
Marcus began his career as a real estate analyst at Goldman Sachs in Dallas, Texas. His team was responsible for the investment of Goldman’s capital into real estate portfolios.
Marcus has since then established himself as a Realtor® & Broker in the Western areas of Austin, specializing in high-end new construction, boutique listings, staging & design, and a seamless client experience.
Marcus enjoys viewing and playing live music, exercising on Town Lake, and playing golf at Barton Creek & Austin County Clubs.
