How to Buy a Home With Good Resale Value (2024)

Some home buyers never consider resale value when they buy, and they make the mistake of focusing solely on whether the home suits their needs. You should not make this mistake. If you buy a home with a good resale value, it should be fairly easy to sell if and when that time comes. You should keep the following factors in mind, as they can affect the value.

Key Takeaways

  • Consider resale value as well as your current needs when you buy a home.
  • The most important factor in good resale value is location, so choose a home in a desirable location to increase your pool of future buyers.
  • Other factors in resale value include number of bedrooms and bathrooms, family space, walk-in closets, and an open floor plan.

Number One Rule of Home Resale Value: Location

You often hear real estate agents repeat the phrase: location, location, location. If you choose a home in a desirable location, chances are that the location will stay desirable, and in turn, will attract a large pool of home buyers later down the road. Alternatively, if the location is less than desirable, it is possible that the future sales price of your home will be less than the prices of other homes in locations that are more desirable. This would likely attract a smaller pool of home buyers.

Note

When it comes to location, you cannot always anticipate changes that will impact your home's resale value, but you can try and you should educate yourself about anything that is already in the works.

Basic Indicators of Good Resale Value

There are some indicators of a home with good resale value regardless of its location. These are the features that buyers will look for in a home.

More than two bedrooms: If almost every home in your neighborhood has only two bedrooms, owning a home with fewer than three bedrooms is not necessarily a drawback. But, it is a drawback if you are trying to attract more buyers since many will prefer to have more rooms. A home with three bedrooms or more is often a better choice to ensure future resale value.

More than one bathroom (including a master bathroom): Buyers will still buy a one-bath home but at a much lower price than expected. When given the choice between a two-bath home and a one-bath home, first-time home buyers will almost always opt for the two-bath home, even if the cost to install a second bath is much less than the price difference between the two homes.Moreover, it is not enough to simply have two or more baths. A home without a master bath may alsosuffer from a lower resale value.

Family space: A family space is any space in which a group of people can congregate. Whether to entertain friends or host a neighborhood gathering, buyers want an extra room that is spacious and informal. The days of the formal living room and parlors are over.

Ample storage spaces and closets: People today collect too much stuff, and they have to store it somewhere. Walk-in closets are considered almost essential. Homes with small closets are hard to sell.

One level: Even if the sacrifice is yard space, most buyers prefer a one-story homeor at least a home with a first-floor master bedroom. But, you should be mindful of your neighborhood.

Note

In neighborhoods with a mix of two-story and one-story homes, you should not buy a single-level home surrounded by multiple-story homes.

Garage: Unless you live in an urban area where most occupants rely mostly on public transportation, you need a place to park your car. Two parking spots are preferable, and if the garage is in a covered, enclosed area, all the better. In some suburban locations, you may encounter resistance to homes with fewer than three parking spots in the garage.

Good flow and open floor plan: Few buyers want a chopped-up, closed-in space. Homebuyers prefer natural light and open spaces, with a common-sense flow that is interconnected without satellite rooms. A wing is acceptable; however, many families with young children do not want the master suite separated from the other bedrooms.

Updated and remodeled: Simple, do-it-yourself home improvements can greatly enhance a home's resale value. The two best rooms to remodel are the kitchen and bathroom. Homebuyers prefer central heat and air, and some loans (such as the energy-efficient mortgage) will provide funds for such updates upon purchase.

How to Buy a Home With Good Resale Value (2024)

FAQs

How to Buy a Home With Good Resale Value? ›

The most important factor in good resale value is location, so choose a home in a desirable location to increase your pool of future buyers. Other factors in resale value include number of bedrooms and bathrooms, family space, walk-in closets, and an open floor plan.

What type of house has best resale value? ›

Colonial. Colonial-style homes have the highest resale factor when all other elements are equal. These two-story homes that often have a boxlike appearance are popular because of the amount of functional living space that they often have. Many homeowners also prefer their minimalistic design.

How do you know if a house has a good resale value? ›

Here are five indicators that a home has good resale value.
  1. The home is situated in a sought-after location. ...
  2. The schools are well-regarded. ...
  3. The curb appeal is there. ...
  4. The floor plan works for a broad pool of buyers. ...
  5. The neighborhood is considered safe and quiet.
Oct 12, 2020

Should you consider resale when buying a house? ›

Your first objective is to buy a home that's right for you, but do consider its resale value before you make the final decision, especially if you know you'll move again within three to five years. A careful purchase now will help give you extra funds to move up with the next time you buy a home.

How can I increase the resale value of my house? ›

8 ways to increase the value of your home
  1. Clean and declutter. ...
  2. Add usable square footage. ...
  3. Make your home more energy-efficient. ...
  4. Spruce it up with fresh paint. ...
  5. Work on your curb appeal. ...
  6. Upgrade your exterior doors. ...
  7. Give your kitchen an updated look. ...
  8. Stage your home.
Jul 5, 2022

What decreases property value the most? ›

It's best to be aware of what hurts property value so you can protect your home and get the most ROI when it comes time to sell.
  • 1) DIY projects gone wrong.
  • 2) Lack of curb appeal.
  • 3) Unsightly interior wall paint.
  • 4) Lack of upkeep.
  • 5) Wall to wall carpeting.
  • 6) Excessive clutter can hurt property value.
  • 7) Unpleasant smells.
Oct 9, 2020

What is the #1 feature to consider when buying a home? ›

1. The Location. They say the three most important things to think about when buying a home are location, location, location. You can change almost everything else, but you can't change your home's location.

How do you know if a property is worth buying? ›

The One-Percent Rule

It's a tool that you can use to determine if a property deserves a closer look. All the one-percent rule says is that a property should rent for one-percent or more of its total upfront cost. For example: A property that costs $100,000 should rent for at least $1,000 per month.

What size house is easiest to sell? ›

According to recent data, the house size that sells much faster than other homes is 1,500 and 2,000 square feet. Most notably, smaller houses tend to sit on the market for a shorter time than larger homes.

What determines resale value? ›

The resale value of a car is a projection of its market value. Model type, age, and condition are primary factors determining market value, with mileage, rarity, and equipment levels also contributing.

Should I avoid big purchases before buying a house? ›

Although a “large purchase” will vary based on your budget, consider avoiding any purchases that you need to finance. Even if you can make the purchase in cash, it's good to hold off until after closing. Otherwise, the purchase will affect your cash reserves.

Is more buyers than sellers good? ›

If the demand for the stock is more, i.e number of buyers of a stock than the number of sellers of a stock then the stock price goes up. And if the number of sellers is more than the buyers then the stock price goes down as the demand is less and supply is more.

Which is more stressful buying or selling a house? ›

Bottom line, selling and buying a home are both stressful, but selling takes the crown. As for sellers, eventually you will get through the process and sell your home just fine. A few weeks or months of hard work and inconvenience will pay off and you'll happily move on to the next chapter in your life.

Does flooring increase home value? ›

So the short answer to “does new flooring increase home value?” is yes—if you're smart about your selections. The right upgrades also make your house move faster on the market. Follow these 5 pro tips to get the most out of this wise home investment.

Does painting increase home value? ›

But will painting your house increase the value? Yes, it can absolutely affect your resale value! Online real estate giant, Zillow, has conducted paint color analyses like this one over the past few years to determine which exterior and interior paint colors add the most value to your home during resale.

What makes property value decrease? ›

Changes in the real estate market can lower the value of your home. Natural disasters and climate change can lower your property value because the property is a greater risk to purchase. Foreclosures in your neighborhood can also drive down property value.

At what age does a house start losing value? ›

If you haven't renovated your home in the past 30 years or so, it won't show well when you put it on the market. In other words, it won't get the same price as a similar home that's been maintained and updated.

What actually increases property value? ›

Supply and demand. The basic law of supply and demand have a major effect on the housing market. Simply put, as the housing supply decreases or as demand rises, creating an inventory shortage, home values go up. A real estate inventory shortage means that there are fewer sellers than there are buyers.

What adds the most value to a property? ›

Maximum value will be added by improving the main living spaces, such as the kitchen, dining and living area and the way in which they work together. Before removing walls, work out which are loadbearing by checking the direction of the floor joists as these should always rest on structural walls.

What are five things to consider before buying a house? ›

Learn everything to know about buying a home with our first-time home buyer guide.
  • Understand Your Monthly Costs. ...
  • Keep Your Eye on Interest Rates. ...
  • Commute Times Are Key. ...
  • Get Educated about Local Schools. ...
  • Check Out Local Community Life. ...
  • Take Noise Levels into Account. ...
  • Get an Experienced Real Estate 'Advocate'

Why do buyers offer more than asking price? ›

Making an offer above the asking price is a common trend in the California real estate market in 2021. It's largely driven by a stark imbalance between housing supply and demand. Home buyers are making aggressive offers in order to succeed in a highly competitive market.

What should I pay attention to when buying a house? ›

But here is a list of items that you definitely don't want to overlook.
  • Location and neighbors/neighborhood. ...
  • Square footage and floor plan. ...
  • Roof and gutters. ...
  • Signs of water damage. ...
  • Electrical panels. ...
  • Furnace and AC units. ...
  • Cracks in exposed concrete, uneven flooring, doors that stick. ...
  • Yard size, features, and shape.
Jun 11, 2018

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›

THE 4-3-2-1 APPROACH

This ratio allocates 40% of your income towards expenses, 30% towards housing, 20% towards savings and investments and 10% towards insurance.

What is 1 rule in real estate? ›

The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

Should I pay more than what a house is worth? ›

Real estate expert opinion is generally against the idea of paying more than than a property's appraised value. Even if you make up the difference on an under-appraised property, you'll have a property worth less than what you paid.

What is the 3x rule for buying house? ›

If less than 20% of your income goes to pay down debt, a home that is around 4 times your income may be suitable. If more than 20% of your monthly income goes to pay down existing debts in the household, dial the purchase price to 3 times.

What kind of houses sell the fastest? ›

The price is right

Lower-priced starter homes are winning most buyers' hearts. Homes listed at between $200,000 and $250,000 were sold in 83 days on average, significantly faster than in any other price range. And of course the more expensive the home, the fewer buyers can afford it.

What is the hardest part of buying a house? ›

Sometimes the hardest part about buying a home isn't finding it, it's getting it. That means there are too few homes and too many people needing a place to live. That means there are more buyers than sellers. That gives sellers the advantage, meaning it's a Seller's Market.

How do you set a resale price? ›

Many resellers create a sliding-condition scale for pricing items. In perfect condition, items are priced at 70 percent of new cost, while items that are still saleable, but past their glory days, are priced at 30 percent of new cost. Some products also retain value better than others.

How does location affect property value? ›

This means that location is often the single most important driving force behind the value of a property. It's a simple case of supply and demand: Housing supply in great locations is limited by the number of homes in that location.

What is an example of resale value? ›

So, a car with an MSRP of $30,000 and a residual value of 50% after three years would be worth $15,000 at the end of its lease. Resale value is a similar concept, but it refers to a car that has been purchased, rather than leased.

What are 3 disadvantages to buying a house? ›

Disadvantages of owning a home
  • Costs for home maintenance and repairs can impact savings quickly.
  • Moving into a home can be costly.
  • A longer commitment will be required vs. ...
  • Mortgage payments can be higher than rental payments.
  • Property taxes will cost you extra — over and above the expense of your mortgage.

How many times should you see a house before you buy? ›

How many times to look at a house before buying? Ideally, four to six viewings should be sufficient. Attending two to three visits inside, with a realtor and/or appraiser, and another two to three visits scouting the house and neighborhood independently, from the outside, may be a good approach.

Why shouldn't you buy the most expensive house? ›

Higher Property Taxes and Bills

Not only will you end up paying a lot towards property taxes, you'll also see an increase in homeowners' insurance costs, utilities and repair and maintenance fees. No matter how much money you have at the moment, you have to be smart about your financial future.

Do sellers usually go for highest offer? ›

The answer is often “no.” Conventional wisdom might suggest that during negotiations, especially in a multiple-offer situation, the buyer who throws the most money at the seller will snag the house. In reality, however, it doesn't always end up that way.

Will a seller always choose highest offer? ›

No, the seller is under no obligation to accept any offer. And if the market is a strong seller's market, they are likely to wait for offers that are above asking price. Can a seller counter a “highest and best” offer? Yes, the seller can counter at any time during the negotiation process.

Why is buy more expensive than sell? ›

The difference between the 'buy' and 'sell' prices is the commission you'll pay to the broker or intermediary body who executes your trade - called the 'spread'. Buyers and sellers might theoretically be connected electronically. But, as long as the trades are handled by humans, they must be compensated in some way.

What is the biggest selling point of a house? ›

Here's a top 10 list of what's most important to potential homebuyers:
  • THE OUTSIDE. It's trite but true: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. ...
  • LOCATION. Today's homes have to be conveniently located for homebuyers, agents say. ...
  • GARAGE. ...
  • KITCHEN. ...
  • MASTER BEDROOM. ...
  • BATHROOM. ...
  • STORAGE SPACE. ...
  • BAsem*nTS.
Mar 4, 2007

Is it normal to cry when you sell your house? ›

Working through your feelings early will make the selling process smoother, but even if you spent time grieving before putting your home on the market, it's still normal to feel some pangs of sadness during closing. While it's easy to tell yourself you're overreacting, getting past remorse isn't a simple process.

Is it normal to feel sad when you sell your house? ›

Selling a home brings about a wave of different emotions. There is excitement in a fresh start, but there may also be sadness in leaving a home you've loved for years. There is anticipation as offers roll in, but there can be stress if the transaction hits a roadblock.

What color flooring has the best resale value? ›

Dark hardwood flooring is in style. It makes your home easier to sell and also boosts your home's resale value. Shows off the furniture in the room. Dark hardwood floors have a way of contrasting with lighter colored furnishings.

Do buyers prefer carpet or hardwood? ›

It's a smart idea; hardwood flooring is preferred by home buyers and renters across the United States so it could improve the resale value of your home when it comes time to sell.. But consider all your options carefully. Here's more about flooring made from hardwood and why you might prefer it to wall-to-wall carpet.

Do buyers prefer carpet in bedrooms? ›

Buyers like carpet in bedrooms, especially in basem*nt bedrooms, for comfort and warmth.” Carpet is also much quieter to walk on than other types of flooring and can help absorb noise. It can mask sounds, such as footsteps and squeaky floors, Fisher adds.

What color house is best for resale? ›

"Generally, going with neutral colors like shades of white, beige, taupe, and grays lead to a faster sale," she shares. "Neutral colors are also more appealing to potential buyers because many want the creative freedom of a blank canvas to add their personal touches to when looking for a new place to call home.

What color increases home value? ›

Not only will greige give your home a warm, elevated look; it will increase its value, too. "Painting your living room a neutral color like gray, beige, or light brown can add up to $2,000 to your home's value, which can be modernized with accents of white," says Bailey Carson, home care expert at Angi.

How many years should you paint your house? ›

Most homes need to be painted every 7 to 10 years, but the actual timeframe varies by material and region. For example, cement fiberboard siding needs repainting every 10 to 15 years, but more traditional cladding needs painting more often.

What affects home value the most? ›

A home's value is affected by local real estate trends, the housing market, the home's condition, age, location and property size.

Will my house lose value in 2023? ›

In 2023, the national annual median price for homes for sale is projected to rise by another 5.4%, which is less than half the pace seen in 2022. Even if a homeowner decides to sell their home, they will likely have a lot of equity in it.

Does removing a bedroom devalue a house? ›

Permanently converting a bedroom into anything else, is never a good idea and could devalue your property by as much as 10%. That means converting it to a dressing room/closet, TV/Media room or home office.

Which property type is it the best to buy? ›

One reason commercial properties are considered one of the best types of real estate investments is the potential for higher cash flow. Investors who opt for commercial properties may find they represent higher income potential, longer leases, and lower vacancy rates than other forms of real estate.

Which properties make the most money? ›

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

How many bedrooms for best resale value? ›

A home with three bedrooms or more is often a better choice to ensure future resale value. More than one bathroom (including a master bathroom): Buyers will still buy a one-bath home but at a much lower price than expected.

What type of real estate has the best returns? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area.

What is the strongest form of real estate ownership? ›

Fee simple is the highest form of ownership — it means the land is owned outright, without any limitations or restrictions other than local zoning ordinances.

Why 90% of millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Federal tax benefits

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

Where are the rich buying property? ›

A new report found that New York City is the no. 1 place for ultra-high-net-worth individuals to own a property. New York City isn't just the city that never sleeps. It's also the most popular place in the country for the 'super-rich.

What is the fastest way to build wealth in real estate? ›

  1. 7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate. ...
  2. Renovation Flipping. ...
  3. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals. ...
  4. Long-Term Rentals. ...
  5. Contract Flipping. ...
  6. Lease to Buy. ...
  7. Commercial Property Rentals. ...
  8. Buying Land.

What's the lowest you should offer on a house? ›

Typically, a lowball offer is considered to be at least 20% below the asking price. If you're offering 10% below, the property should be in a good condition but may just need some cosmetic work done. The goal of offering 10% below the asking price is to use those extra funds to cover the repairs.

What are the top rooms that sell a house? ›

If you're a seller with a tight timeline (and budget), you'll want to focus on these rooms first. The rooms buyers most closely inspect (and judge) in a house are the kitchen and master bath. These are the interior spaces where the most value can be added during a sale, so they need to look their best.

Is it better to have more bedrooms or bathrooms? ›

They also say the ideal number of bathrooms is one less than the number of bedrooms. Using that tip in our scenario above, we're up to three bathrooms. Even if the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, the three other bedrooms will still have two bathrooms to share.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5926

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.