When you consider all the amenities we have living in the Crossroads of America, it’s really no surprise that the housing market in Indiana is staying strong. One real estate report shows that the number of homes sold in the 15-county region around Indianapolis has jumped 6% from September 2015 to September 2016. That includes a 12.4% increase in Boone County and a 9.4% boost in Marion County. A lot of the features homebuyers want most in 2017 are right here in Central Indy. It’s great news!

That being said, families who want to get the best investment for their home need to make sure that it stands above the masses—especially with the number of home sales are on the rise. You’ll be sitting pretty if your house gives buyers what they’re looking for. When we consider the latest trends and numbers, it all comes down to a few key features.

Modern Style

Homebuyers today are all about the top-of-the-line appliances, kitchen décor, and hardware. But the request for “modern” does come with a bit of a caveat. Families still want a space that truly feels like home—not some sort of uber-modern medical institute. Blending modern design with softened home aesthetics was one of the top 2016 home trends, and it’s sure to continue into 2017.

It’s really good if you’ve already got an updated look in your kitchen. Keeping it clean and properly styled will have your potential buyers swooning. Try to minimize any kitchen knick-knacks and let your cabinets and beautiful granite countertops do all the talking. And if your kitchen is still leaving a little something to be desired—like you’re missing stainless steel or a big ol’ island in your kitchen—fear not. Home staging can help you out. The pros always know how to accentuate the positives in a room!

Home Office Space

More and more professionals are working remotely and need a quiet room in their home for work. You’re sure to get brownie points if your house can provide this coveted space. Even a room that you’ve used in the past for another purpose (for say, the kids’ playroom) can take on a new life when you’re getting ready to sell.

Consider staging it as an office or spare bedroom to show buyers that your property can give them what they need. We especially loved this home’s hardwood floors. The French doors give a cozy home-feel to this otherwise traditional office setup.

Energy Efficient

The perks of an energy-efficient home are many. Not only do you spend less on heating and cooling with an efficient space—it’s also means your home is a lot more comfortable throughout the year, even during our unpredictable Indiana weather. If your home was built after 2004, it’s bound to have a great HERS Index Score. (That’s how homes are ranked on energy efficiency.)

For spaces lacking in any of the categories, consider upgrading your HVAC unit, water heater, or windows to give buyers some of the upgrades they’re looking for. Even adding a new layer of insulation to your attic space can make a huge difference on your HERS ranking. It’s widely considered to be the single best upgrade you can make on your home because it has such a fantastic ROI.

Open Concept

New home builds have relied on the popular open concept floorplans for years. Lots of couples love the idea of having big living room and kitchen spaces for socializing with friends. Growing families like being able to spend time together as a family after school and on the weekends in these areas too. Of course, not every home has the luxury of being truly “open.”

Older and historical homes have their own set of perks. The unique built-ins and wood detailing are what set these house apart. Even if your house has its rooms in neat little compartments, you can still give homebuyers that open concept sensibility with good home staging. Working with a professional stylist can help you maximize the square footage in every room by using with the right-sized furniture and tasteful pops of color. Show buyers your home has “flow,” and they’ll be more likely to put in an offer.

Location, Location, Location

Neighborhoods all around Indianapolis rank high for location because the cost of living is low and job market is doing well. It also helps that we so close to dozens and dozens of nature trails, parks, and sports clubs. Great schools keep families moving from out of state interested in our region too. When it comes to quality of life, there’s not much these counties are missing! Check out the latest reports on Niche.com to see how your community is doing.

For other home design and home staging advice, be sure to check out our other blog articles. And if you’re in the Indy area and have any questions about getting you home to be the best it can be, please give us a call! We’d love to hear from you!

All images on this website are the property of Home Matters LLC and come from our actual clients and staging projects.