What Property Qualities Are Important In California?

For property owners in California who are hoping to sell or rent, understanding what property qualities are most desirable to potential buyers and renters is essential for maximizing the value of your property. But understanding what to look for in a California home is not only important for those on the selling end of the real estate market, but for hopeful buyers as well.

Year after year, California has shown itself to be an extremely competitive state regarding the real estate market. One way to stay ahead of the competition as a seller is to make sure that your property is desirable. As a potential buyer, understanding the above can help one determine what property purchase would be the best long-term investment.

Utopia Management, rental property experts throughout California for 30 years, have a keen understanding of the CA real estate market. They have outlined 5 key property qualities that both buyers and sellers in the Golden State should keep in mind as they consider their next real estate move.

Energy Efficiency

California is one of America’s sunniest states, ranking at number 5, just behind Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas. As the world takes steps towards increasing energy efficiency in order to combat the effects of climate change, harnessing solar power is a given in sunny places like California. Homes powered at least partially by solar panels will therefore be sure to attract buyers not only for their energy saving capabilities, but for their cost-efficacy as well. Of course, there are other ways to make a home energy efficient. At the most basic level, however, one needs to ensure that the home in question does not have any glaring energy issues– such as unsealed windows, uninsulated walls, or outdated air conditioning units– in order to maximize attention from buyers.

Yards and Gardens

Currently, buyers are looking for homes that offer the ability to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of their own properties. Further, for most buyers, the size of the yard is less important than its perceived potential. For example, a large, neglected yard overrun with impossible-to-remove weeds is less desirable than a small yard that is clean, quaint, and charming, where the buyer can imagine themselves relaxing on a nice day.

Updated Appliances and Interiors

This item comes as no surprise– updated appliances and interiors are important for buyers across the country and even the world, and for obvious reasons. While “fixer-uppers” may be attractive to those in the flipping business, most buyers do not want to purchase a home just to have to shell out thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars to make necessary improvements.

The Neighborhood

Of course, different kinds of buyers are interested in different locations. Families, on the one hand, are more often interested in safe, quiet neighborhoods with good schools. On the other hand, young, single buyers may be more interested in a home that is situated in more bustling areas. Obviously, homeowners cannot change or control the location of the home they are trying to sell, but they can be sure to market their home effectively based on the type buyer or renter they are hoping to attract. Oftentimes, the way a product (or home) is marketed is equally as important as the quality of the product itself when it comes to selling. Further, for those looking to buy, taking the time to investigate the area where a home is located is crucial to ensuring you make the right buying decision.

Space

Most buyers are not looking at homes they believe they will outgrow in a matter of a few short years. Rather, they are interested in homes and properties where they can imagine growing. Regardless of what “growing “ means, buyers want that extra space. If you can swing it, adding an extra room, or expanding a garage, for example, will go a long way to increase the value and attractiveness of your home.