(Image courtesy Burst)

It has been a seller’s market in the Springfield and Burke areas over the last few years, but that doesn’t mean that home sellers can ignore the features that buyers most want in their homes like first floor laundry rooms. And it seems with each new year, trends change or certain amenities become deal breakers when it comes to what is popular or essential. 

Pools and outdoor space were some of the most commonly asked for features buyers were seeking last year. Spare bedrooms and office space were also coveted. We predict that first floor laundry rooms are one of the trends buyers are looking for in 2022, because certain features in a home — like a convenient laundry — have the power to win over a potential home buyer.

How Important are First Floor Laundry Rooms?

While home owners may have been able to shove a stackable washer/dryer in a small closet in the past, in general, spacious first floor laundry rooms are now game changers in home buying, almost topping the list of essential amenities. 

More than anything else, it seems homeowners just want a dedicated space to hide dirty clothes and other projects and stack the clean clothes while waiting to put them away. We like to look organized — even if that means closing a door and hiding our mess. And having a separate room to use for these things like folding and ironing helps to keep any disorganization out of the larger living space, which potential buyers see as a huge benefit.

Does It Matter Where the Laundry is Located?

While a basement is usually the easiest and cheapest place to put laundry facilities, this isn’t where most homeowners would prefer to put them. 

Some people even argue that having the laundry room upstairs eliminates the lugging of laundry baskets up and down the stairs and makes laundry more convenient since the second floor is where the bedrooms are — where we generate a lot of spoiled linens and where we tend to store our clothing — and it would be easiest to keep the laundry in a space that makes laundry day less labor intensive.

However, running the washer and dryer also produces noise and heat that isn’t welcome near sleeping areas. 

And replacing or having heavy laundry machinery serviced on your home’s upper floors is also a nightmare that could be alleviated by having dedicated first floor laundry rooms.

This is why the first floor, usually close to a secondary entry to the house, such as off of an attached garage appears to be the top preference for home buyers for 2022. In fact, National Home Buyers surveys consistently reveal a strong majority of home buyers prefer to have laundry on the main level of their home!

Is It Worth Remodeling an Existing Laundry Room?

Not necessarily. Remodeling an existing laundry room doesn’t appear to be a project that will seriously enhance your home’s sales value, unless it is located in a corner of the basement or tucked away in a closet in an upstairs hallway. 

But if you are able to create a separate room for a dedicated laundry on the first floor of your home, you are more likely to attract potential buyers who might be willing to pay top dollar for your home. 

While it may seem like a less important feature, having a separate laundry room is actually one of the most sought-after features of buyers in the coming year. We are all in our homes more and generating more laundry, as well as trying to stay cleaner, tidying, and more organized, so buying a home with a convenient and spacious laundry room is one way home buyers are giving themselves the tools to have a head start. 

First floor laundry rooms are preferred for their ease and advantages. And if first floor laundry rooms have good lighting, utility sink, and Energy Star-certified appliances that can save buyers energy and money, that’s likely to really put your home over the top! 

Of course not all homes in our area have first floor laundry rooms, and that might not be the most important feature for you anyway, but if it is — or you’d like to discuss other crucial amenities for your new home, contact LIST WITH ELIZABETH®. We’d love to work with you to find the property that has just what you’re looking for.