When purchasing a home, it is not only important to find a house that meets your needs, but one with features you consider important. In today’s market, there are a number of features that home buyers consider essential when looking for that perfect house to call home. Below are the top 8 essential features that home buyers look for in 2019:

Open concept floor plan

Active families appreciate living in homes with open floor plans that have great flow and inviting living spaces. Open concepts make it convenient for families to spend time together even while doing individual activities in a common area. Friends and extended family have a sense of being more comfortably connected when gathered in a home with an open floor plan.

Energy efficient appliances and windows

Purchasing a home is a significant investment, so opportunities to save money are attractive to home buyers. Homes in Rocklin with energy efficient appliances and windows are a definite plus as they help homeowners realize significant savings in utility bills each year. For example, energy efficient windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by 12 percent.

Updated, modern kitchen with eat-in area

The kitchen is definitely the heart of a home and where everyone gathers for fellowship and fun times together. Home buyers are drawn to an attractive kitchen with a modern design that includes thoughtfully designed cabinetry, granite or quartz countertops, state-of-the-art appliances, great lighting and decor, comfortable seating at a large counter or bar area and an additional area for casual dining.

Walk-in pantry

A kitchen with a walk-in pantry is an added plus to any home. This additional space offers homeowners the luxury of storing non-perishable items in an orderly fashion and allows extra kitchen and entertaining-related items to be easily stored, which helps keep a home more organized.

Master bedroom on main level and walk-in closet

It is an added bonus for a home to have a main level master bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet. The convenience of a master on the main living area will be even more attractive as owners move into their winter season of life. A well-designed walk-in closet provides a great way to organize clothing and accessories and provides a pleasant environment for dressing.

Laundry room

A dedicated room for doing laundry and storing related supplies is a desired feature for home buyers. Laundry rooms with cabinets, mud sink, folding table, a place to hang clothing, drying racks and an area for ironing makes doing laundry more efficient and palatable.

Garage with storage space

Many home buyers, particularly families, look for homes with enough garage space to comfortably fit a family vehicle and a second car in their garage. A garage large enough for at least two cars is an essential feature for home buyers. A garage with adequate storage space for tools, yard equipment, sports equipment and outdoor toys can help control clutter inside a home and allow families easy access to items that invite outdoor activity. Garages with cabinets and shelving, stronger electrical circuitry and good overhead lighting encourage home organization and helps the garage become a more functional space, providing utility other than protecting vehicles and assets from the elements.

Outdoor living spaces

A beautiful backyard is a great feature of a home, but add an inviting patio or deck with comfortable seating and even a fireplace, water feature, plants and flowers and you have a wonderful extension of your home that allows owners to spend time with family and friends while enjoying nature. Nice outdoor living areas are a great way of adding value to a home with additional living space without the expense of a formal addition or renovation.

What other features do home buyers look for?

Home buyers have a lot to think about when looking for a new home. In addition to considering the above mentioned essential features they look for, check out these two articles for additional perspectives on what home buyers may want in a home: