Will Your Home Sell in a Recession? Broad Appeal

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

15 Apr 2008 05:42 PM

Are you wondering if it is the right time to sell your current home? Are you worried about all the information and opinion in the media that tell us that this is the wrong time to put a home on the market?

There are certain elements that will sell a home, no matter the overall housing market. So far, I've talked about the following factors: Carrying costs, trends, location, sidewalks and septic, and durability. Now, let us consider broad appeal.

Broad appeal is just what it sounds like. You want you home to appeal to the broadest selection of buyers. Sure someone who is looking for a one of a kind home that resembles a space ship may pass on a traditional home, that buyer is few and far between. And while it is true in some sense that you "just need the right buyer," you want to ensure that your home could be the right home for as many buyers as possible.

Right now, a home that has the broadest appeal is one with three or four bedrooms, a two-car garage and at least two bathrooms in the home. Does your home fit this description? If not, you might consider spending any renovation resources upgrading your home to include these elements, rather than let's say, putting in a custom water fountain or media room.

Homes with reverse floor plans may also have a harder time on the market. People expect the bedrooms to be on an upper floor and the kitchen to be on a lower floor. Hardwood flooring is another feature that has broad appeal, as does carpeting. Concrete floors, on the other hand, while they may be beautiful and suite your taste, may not appeal to the majority of home buyers. Standard appliances, such as a standard-sized refrigerator, oven, range and dishwasher are expected to be in place when a buyer views a home. Even if you don't use a dishwasher you may want to install one for the sake of selling your home.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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