COVID-19 has ravaged many aspects of our lives and people have managed the best they could, all things considered. One of the ways people have managed with the aftermath is to turn to multigenerational living. In Bakersfield, California, it’s not uncommon to have several generations living under one roof. This trend is on the rise and top real estate agents in Bakersfield estimate that the demand for these kinds of homes have increased by 15% since the start of the pandemic two years ago.
If you’re eager to find a Realtor® to put your house on the market, be sure to ask them what you can do to maximize your reach. To tap into the multigenerational market, here are five home trends that will catch these buyers’ eye.
1. Accessibility
Most houses aren’t designed for people who rely on wheelchairs or walkers, much to the dismay of people who do. When you’re renovating your home, consider replacing the doors and open entryways with wider ones (32” and up) to accommodate those with mobility issues. You can also improve the lighting in hallways and especially stairways so no one trips due to poor visibility.
2. Ensuite bedrooms
A guest room is fine for visitors, but if you’re having older family members live with you, they probably won’t enjoy waiting to use the bathroom while the kids are getting ready for school. You can make the home more accommodating by having more than one ensuite bedroom – preferably having one of those ensuites on the main floor if your house is multilevel.
3. In-law suites
In-law suites are more than just an ensuite. They’re full on apartments that can be built over garages, part of a finished basements, or a complete addition off of the main house. In-law suites are desirable because your loved ones are close by but each family has their own space. It’s sort of the best of both worlds!
4. Privacy
What do you do when you’re living in a full house and need to decompress? You could go to your bedroom and unwind, but not everyone wants to do that. Instead of retreating to the bedroom, why not create a cozy spot outside by sprucing up the patio? If you don’t have outdoor space but have a lot of space in the living room, you can split the space with wooden screens, curtains, or even install glass partitions.
Be sure to ask your real estate agent what buyers in the area are actually looking for before doing anything permanent.
5. Neutral decor
Our homes are the one places where we can truly be ourselves, right? Well, when you’re trying to appeal to the sensibilities of people from different generations, you’re going to be limited to what will appeal to everyone. That’s why it’s strongly recommended that you decorate common areas as neutrally as possible.
Of course, if you’re going to be selling soon, that won’t be an issue because homeowners are recommended to go neutral throughout the whole house.
If you want to do more to improve your home’s marketability, remember that your real estate agent can offer more suggestions!
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