Function and aesthetics top priorities when preparing homes for sale

Homebuyers prioritize function and aesthetics when preparing their properties for the market, says a survey by Kichler Lighting. Modern kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and upscale flooring top the wish list for what homebuyers want. This desire for a fresh look extends beyond the initial purchase and into the first year after buying, with kitchen and bathroom upgrades. The survey also shows that outdoor living is more valuable now than ever.

Style preferences are of equal importance. Most respondents identify with modern décor, followed by contemporary and traditional, and they prefer black, gold, and silver metal finishes, in that order.

Fresh exterior paint reigns supreme as the most common pre-sale update (49 percent), followed by DIY projects inside like painting (43 percent) and refreshing carpets (34 percent). New light fixtures rank as the third most common DIY pre-sale update (32 percent), highlighting the significant role lighting plays in enhancing a home's appeal. Kitchen (30 percent), bathroom (29 percent) and hard surface flooring upgrades (28 percent) are non-negotiable for most homebuyers.

The first 12 months often see renovations to bathrooms (31 percent), followed by painting (30 percent) and replacing outdated light fixtures (28 percent). The kitchen (45 percent) is the most frequently updated room, followed by bathrooms (40 percent) and primary bedrooms (30 percent). Additionally, new landscaping (51 percent) ranks high, along with exterior lighting updates (35 percent).