Buyers of different kinds of houses want different features. You’ll be wise to know who your buyer is and what your buyer will be looking for.
For a home in the lower end of the price range in your area, one goal is to make sure the house meets Federal Housing Authority guidelines. The home must be mechanically and electrically sound, with a good furnace, a sturdy roof, and a good foundation.
When a home meets these FHA guidelines, it can be bought with any type of financing.
With higher-end homes, real estate agents consider whether the buyer will be living in the home only a few years or living there for a long time. Transient buyers usually work for a corporation and stay in the home only a few years. They want a functional home with neutral paint colors and neutral carpet so they can easily sell it without upgrades before moving on. If your neighborhood is occupied by long-term homeowners, your prospective buyer may be looking for special features and upgrades that make the home unique and different from other homes in the area.
When you market to those who will be the home for 10 years or longer, pay attention to the upgrades new and existing homes in your price range are offering. Then try to compete.
The buyer may want Corian countertops and hardwood floors. They may want an updated bath. They are more demanding because they will live in the home for a long time, but they can and will pay more for an upgraded house.