MODERN KITCHENSAND BATHROOMS Modern kitchens and bathrooms are trending right now. They are popular because they’re sleek, clean, functional, and beautiful. Upgrading kitchens and bathrooms is worth the investment if you want maximum returns from a home sale or rental. Millennial homebuyers are looking for features like side-by-side sinks, central islands, walk-in pantries, quality countertops, premium vanities, and other amenities. Don’t skimp on labor costs. Hire professional contrac- tors who specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Millennials are good at spotting design flaws and have concerns about inferior craftsmanship. Professionals will be able to complete your project faster and at a higher level of quality. ENERGYEFFICIENCY Millennial homebuyers care about energy-efficient upgrades. They’re concerned about the environment, saving money, and reducing their carbon footprint. They also want homes built to last, with quality materi- als and craftsmanship. So, when they purchase a home, they expect the builder to use quality materials and install energy-efficient features. Builders should install solar panels, rainwater tanks, and tankless water heaters to attract millennial buyers. These upgrades save homeowners money and reduce the number of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere. Millennials are also looking for ENERGY STAR-certified windows and appliances as well as lighting that is more energy-efficient. If you’re looking to sell a house to this generation, these tips will help you get maximum return on your properties and rentals. Your prospective buyers will appreciate the efforts you’ve made to improve the prop- erty’s energy efficiency and feel better knowing they’re helping the planet. SMARTHOME TECHNOLOGY Home technology is becoming increasingly popular among millennials because they are looking for ways to save money, reduce energy usage, and make their lives more efficient. They’re also interested in having access to information anytime, anywhere, and on any device, including innova- tive technology that allows them to remotely monitor and control their homes.
Home technology includes everything from thermo- stats to lighting systems to security cameras, doorbells, garage doors, and smoke detectors. Some notable examples of this technology include: • The Nest Thermostat, which learns your schedule and automatically adjusts the home’s temperature based on when you’re away or asleep. You can set the thermostat to turn off during certain times of day, such as before bedtime, and it will learn your habits. • The Ring Video Doorbell, which lets you see, hear, and speak to visitors through your smartphone or tablet when they approach your front door. You can also get alerts if someone rings the bell while you’re away. Ring Video Doorbell works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and it connects wirelessly to your existing Wi-Fi network. • SimpliSafe, which is an innovative security system that lets you monitor your properties remotely using your smartphone or tablet. With built-in cameras and motion sensors, it can detect intruders and send alerts directly to your phone. You can also control the system through your mobile device, allowing you to arm/disarm the alarm, check camera views, and more. Millennials love innovative technology and are willing to pay 20% more for houses that include them, compared to other generations. Millennials have high expectations for their homes. Real estate investors need to work hard to create homes that meet the needs of this generation. Real estate investor who do will be rewarded with a great return on their investments. •
Jamie Cohen is a content manager for Houzz. Passionate about design, Cohen has been spending time remodeling their family’s first home for fun. Cohen also enjoys taking trips to dog parks with his two Boston terriers.
50 | think realty magazine :: may – june 2022
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