Interested in Your Own Personally Branded Magazine? Click Here!

Want to customize this content for your business?

Learn More

Categories

  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining

  • Printables
  • Videos


General

  • About the Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers


Editorial

  • Editorial Calendar
  • Issue Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Pitch an Idea

American Lifestyle Magazine Logo
  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining
  • Search
  • Follow
  • 0 Heart
  • |
  • Food & Recipes Categories
    • All Recipes (761)
    • Appetizers (138)
    • Breakfast (62)
    • Cooking Tips (42)
    • Desserts (219)
    • Dinner (229)
    • Drinks (59)
    • Gluten Free (9)
    • Healthy (65)
    • Lunch (6)
    • Quick & Easy (60)
    • Vegan (32)
    • Vegetarian (48)
Desserts | Dec 22, 2022

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

  • Holiday & Entertaining Categories
    • Celebrate (2)
    • Christmas (81)
    • Easter (14)
    • Entertaining (40)
    • Fall (9)
    • Father’s Day (6)
    • Halloween (29)
    • Hanukkah (17)
    • July 4th (34)
    • Mother’s Day (8)
    • New Year’s (22)
    • St. Patrick's Day (11)
    • Thanksgiving (36)
    • Valentine’s Day (5)
    • Winter (11)
Family & Pets | Dec 14, 2022

Customize Your New Year’s Eve Celebration

  • Decor Categories
    • Crafts & DIY Projects (273)
    • Curb Appeal (5)
    • Decorate (72)
    • Interior Design (85)
Interior Design | Feb 1, 2023

Houston, We Have a Rebuild

Decorate | Jan 19, 2023

Elegant Decor for Any Budget

Interior Design | Jan 12, 2023

Finding Art for Your Home

  • Real Estate Categories
    • Buying & Selling (203)
    • Home Trends (23)
    • Staging (20)
    • Your First House (34)
Decor | Nov 14, 2022

Design Trends to Follow in 2023

Real Estate | Sep 23, 2022

How to Shop for a Home Loan

Real Estate | Sep 21, 2022

Tips for Preventing Homeowner Identity Fraud

  • Life & Culture Categories
    • Editorial (311)
    • Family & Pets (202)
    • Finances (32)
    • Health (159)
    • Travel (249)
Editorial | Feb 3, 2023

Block Party

Travel | Jan 18, 2023

Winter Vacation Destinations

Finances | Dec 23, 2022

A Look Back at Inflation in 2022

  • Home Categories
    • Cleaning (43)
    • Organizing (48)
    • Home Improvement (124)
    • Outdoors & Gardening (87)
Home Improvement | Jan 18, 2023

4-Week Home-Improvement Challenge

Home Improvement | Jan 6, 2023

Value-Adding Winter Home Improvements

Decor | Nov 14, 2022

Design Trends to Follow in 2023

Follow us on social media today!

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Build a Smarter Buyer Wish List

Buying & Selling | By Christy Murdock Edgar | 0 Likes
SHARE
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More

There are so many things to think about when deciding to begin a home search. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you want stairs or are you hoping to have everything on one level? Of course, there’s the all-important question of flooring, countertops, and light fixtures. But what else should you be thinking about—and how can you build a smarter wish list that really adds value?

What does your wish list look like?

When you start perusing listings online, you’re probably spending most of your time looking at aesthetics—paint color, finishes, fixtures, and other “shiny objects” In addition, you’re probably thinking about convenience—a second home office, a fenced backyard, and space for a playroom.

It’s natural to think about those personal preferences when choosing a home, but a smarter wish list takes into account those “behind the wall” items that can either add value or cost you big money. In addition, you’ll want to consider whether your favorite wish list items will be worth the cost when and if you decide to sell the home in the years ahead.

Create a value-added wish list

Think beyond paint color and home-style when creating your wish list, and include the following elements in your calculations of the “perfect” home.

dog standing in street at sunset

Great neighborhood

There’s a reason that the mantra for real estate professionals is “location, location, location.” The same home in two different neighborhoods can fetch two wildly different prices. It’s important to make sure that you understand the impact of a neighborhood on your enjoyment of the home.

One piece of advice that you may have heard is, “Buy the smallest home in the best neighborhood you can afford.” While you may be yearning for a fourth bedroom or a huge bonus room, it may be worth it to choose a smaller home if the neighborhood is ideal. In addition, you may want to consider an up-and-coming market rather than one that’s already filled with amenities. Owning a home in a newly desirable neighborhood may mean big appreciation over the next few years.

Market-appropriate extras

Do you have any unusual features on your wish list? Maybe you’re longing for a pool or extensive exterior spaces like an outdoor kitchen or oversized deck. Maybe you’re thinking of adding a large addition or a guest house once you close on your ideal property. Those are all great ideas, but will they fit the market you’ll be living in?

It’s important to make sure that any improvements you plan or unusual features you require are in keeping with other homes in your neighborhood. Otherwise, you could find yourself trying to sell a home that is so unusual, outsized, or downright odd that you’ll turn off potential buyers and lose money on the sale.

black tile roof

Maintenance savers

We know everybody’s focused on granite countertops and hardwood floors, but it’s a good idea to think about all of those less flashy elements that add value to your home. A new roof can cost you thousands of dollars, so if you have to choose between the ugly kitchen counters with a new roof or the gorgeous granite with an old one, take the new roof.

In addition, look for easy-care outdoor hardscapes and exterior materials to save on maintenance costs, especially if you live in an area where you experience a lot of rain or snow. By focusing on elements that are heartier and easier to maintain, you’ll save time and money year after year—more than enough money, in fact, to pay for some of those fancy wish list items.

Updated systems

Similarly, new appliances, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems save you money on maintenance, replacement, and the cost to operate. Just make sure that the homeowners have all of the paperwork so that you know when the systems were installed and that they are the right size and quality for the space. If in doubt, talk to your home inspector for additional information and insights.

four holes in wall with wiring

What improvements can you make yourself?

What items are worth overlooking in order to add your own value to the home? Here are some wish list items you can cross off in favor of making your own easy fixes after closing.

Perfect Landscaping

What is one of the lowest cost, highest-return investments you can make in improving your home’s value? Well, tree care can offer 100 percent return on investment, and adding mature trees is a low-cost way to boost your home’s value. In fact, a great lawn and an upgraded exterior door are among the most cost-effective, highest ROI improvements you can make.

Paint Color

You’ve seen those HGTV home buyers complain about the paint color and rolled your eyes, right? If you find a house that has great bones but a terrible paint job, get excited! You can quickly improve the home’s aesthetics and value with new paint. And the best part? You can pick out the colors yourself so that it’s exactly what you want.

Finishes and Fixtures

Outdated light fixtures, mismatched switch plates, and old-fashioned faucets—they’re a definite turnoff. However, if the home has been well-maintained otherwise, these easy-to-swap features give you the opportunity to add big value at a low cost. Take a weekend and switch up everything or make the changes a little at a time. Whichever works for your budget and timeline, you’ll experience a sense of accomplishment and a hefty return on investment.

Your wish list is just that—yours. It’s up to you to decide what matters most to you and your family. But if you’re looking to make budget-friendly decisions, it’s important to look past the bright and shiny to the solid and secure.

14910 Views

This article is tagged in:

Buying and SellingFinanceFinancial AdviceHome AdviceHome BuyingHome LoanReal EstateReal Estate AgentRefinancing

Related Posts

Life & Culture | Dec 23, 2022

A Look Back at Inflation in 2022

Life & Culture | Nov 30, 2022

Banks vs. Credit Unions: What’s the Difference?

Real Estate | Sep 23, 2022

How to Shop for a Home Loan

Real Estate | Sep 21, 2022

Tips for Preventing Homeowner Identity Fraud

Real Estate | Sep 19, 2022

Are Open Houses Worth It?

Popular Posts

can-planters-card
Decor | Mar 25, 2020

Make Your Own Can Planters

Home | Jul 8, 2021

Tips for Redesigning Your Patio Space

Life & Culture | Feb 17, 2020

Trash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?

spring-cleaning-countdown
Home | Mar 23, 2021

Spring-Cleaning Countdown

Real Estate | Dec 14, 2017

House Selling Checklist


You may also like:

can-planters-card
Crafts & DIY Projects | Mar 25, 2020

Make Your Own Can Planters

Outdoors & Gardening | Jul 8, 2021

Tips for Redesigning Your Patio Space

Health | Feb 17, 2020

Trash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?

spring-cleaning-countdown
Cleaning | Mar 23, 2021

Spring-Cleaning Countdown

Buying & Selling | Dec 14, 2017

House Selling Checklist

home office with white furniture
Health | Mar 30, 2020

Everyone Is Working From Home—Here’s How to Do It Effectively

decorating-basics
Interior Design | Jun 9, 2020

These Tips Are Your North Star For Home Decorating

Share on Social Media

Our mission is to deliver entertainment that inspires and motivates our readers, encouraging them to follow their passions as they explore new horizons.

© 2023 American Lifestyle Magazine

General
  • About the Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
Editorial
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Issue Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Pitch an Idea
Categories
  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining
Follow Us
Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube

Customize this content for your business!

Learn More

,