Even in a seller’s market, Tulsa homeowners need to put some effort into selling their homes. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, millennial home buyers made up 37% of all home buyers in the US in 2020. That exceeds any other generation of home buyers. So, if you want to appeal to this particular group of buyers, you need to make sure your property fits the bill. Fortunately, many of these items also appeal to other groups of buyers out there. Therefore, by catering to the millennials, you further increase your home’s appeal to other generations as well.
Millennial Home Buyers Focus On…
Cleanliness
Millennial home buyers are not the only group of buyers who like to see a clean property. Always, always clean your Tulsa home from top to bottom before listing it. Also, stage it to show. Decluttered rooms help create a minimalist look that feels more luxurious and high-end, which the millennial buyer loves.
Neutral Paint Colors
Out with the beige. In with the greige. All buyers like neutral paint colors. But millennials, in particular, migrate more towards the greys, soft whites, and a grey/beige combo known as “greige”. Beige or golden-toned walls feel outdated. If the paint is outdated, millennial buyers think the rest of the property must be outdated, too. If you feel a little adventurous, choose one accent wall and wallpaper it. Yes, wallpaper is making a comeback…in small doses. And there are so many more options nowadays. This helps create a high-end feel, which millennial buyers look for.
Updated Kitchens and Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms either help or hinder the sale of a Tulsa home. Nice, updated ones put an offer in your hand in no time. Outdated, tired ones stop a sale in its tracks, especially for millennials. It is a strong likelihood that millennial home buyers used all of their money to purchase a home. If they see an outdated kitchen and/or bathroom, all they see is how much more it will cost to update them. In turn, they may walk out the door and find another place that suits them better. Focus on nicer fixtures, stainless steel appliances, and luxury finishes. Millennials also want easy-to-care-for materials, like quartz countertops and wood (in the kitchen) or tile (in the bathroom) flooring.
Home Office Space
In 2020, we saw an exodus from the traditional office to a work-from-home situation. Many companies decided to keep their workers working remotely. But even before the pandemic, telecommuting was on the rise. In the last five years, the number of employees working outside of a traditional office setting increased by 44%. Therefore, you need to create a dedicated office space. This appeals to Gen X and Gen Z home buyers as well. Simply add a desk (a small dining table works, too), a chair, a bookshelf, and a guest chair. Voila! Now you have an office.
High-Tech and Energy-Efficient
Millennials love energy-efficient appliances and high-tech features. Update your old fridge, dishwasher, washer, and/or dryer to EnergyStar appliances. Replace traditional electrical outlets with newer ones that include USB charging ports. These can be found either online or at your local home improvement store. Utilize smart tech for your thermostat, lighting, home security system, and door locks.
Curb Appeal
Finally, never forget your curb appeal. First impressions last for all buyers, not just millennial home buyers. But keep that appeal going for the backyard as well. Today’s buyer wants outdoor living space as an extension of their indoor living space.
Lori Cain, REALTOR®, Serving Midtown and the greater Tulsa, OK area. Call 918-852-5036.
[…] Tulsa home. I also discussed how updating your kitchen and bathroom and adding a home office space appeals to today’s homebuyers. I even named possible tax-deductible home projects. While it is great to focus on the positive […]