Home Features Every Buyer Wants

Whether you’re buying, selling, building or remodeling – it’s good to know the home features that every buyer is looking for. Especially if you’re remodeling or building and plan to resale, some of these items may make or break your real estate transaction.
What Not To Do
Let’s first start with a quick list of no-no’s. Although the idea and everyday use of some of these items may work for you, they could severely hurt you if you plan to sell you home since they’re not practical for the average buyer:
- Removing closets
- Combining two rooms
- Adding a sunroom
- A garage converted to a living space
- Adding a pool or hot rub
- Any feature that is too personalized such as wall color/texture, too much wallpaper, or lavish lighting that may look dated overtime
What To Do
Below are some home features that will increase the resale value of your home and what most all buyers are looking for.
Hardwood Floors
Since they are much easier to clean, durable, long lasting, and have a contemporary look, hardwood floors are one of the top features a buyer wants. Engineered wood flooring is a good option if you’re on a budget, although it may not last as long it’s still just as easy to clean and has the same look.
Modern Kitchen
Kitchens are where we spend a lot of our time, whether we’re entertaining or cooking. So this feature is obviously going to make the list. A buyer will likely be looking for a modern kitchen with an open floor plan. Specific features that are of importance is a large pantry, an area to eat separate from the dining room (either an eat-in kitchen or island with a breakfast bar), new appliances that are stainless steel & energy efficient, ample counter space & storage, and quartz or granite countertops all with a modern design.
Energy Efficiency
Who wouldn’t want to save money? Buyers look for and are more likely to be interested in a home when it’s outfitted with energy efficient appliances, windows, lighting and HVAC. These items help save money in utilities each month but don’t take away from the buyer’s comfort level.
Laundry Room
Having a dedicated laundry room is increasing in importance with buyers. Especially one large enough to sort, iron, fold and stack the laundry until it finally gets put away. The placement of the laundry room in a home is also important. Having the laundry room near bedrooms, just off the kitchen, as a laundry room/mud room combination or even a laundry chute if it’s downstairs are all considered to be good locations
Walk-in Closet
Many older homes do not have the luxury of a walk in closet, but the feature is quickly gaining popularity. Although closet space in general is very important, walk in closets off the master are considered essential for most buyers when purchasing a home. Depending on how large the closet is, it provides a space to showcase your wardrobe & accessories, keeps your clothes organized, and allows for enough room for a couple to store all of their clothes & accessories.
Large Garage
A large 2 car or 3 car garage allows for the buyer to park their vehicle indoors plus adds storage space. Unlike an attic or basement, the garage is much more accessible to store belongings. The space could also be used as a workshop or mudroom with space to build shelves and cabinets. The possibility with a large garage is endless.
Patio
Outdoor patios are a simple way to extend the living space of your home. It’s really easy for buyers to see themselves sitting outside playing with their children or entertaining when the backyard is really nice. This is typically an easy and cheaper way to increase the value of your home.
Credit: GOBankingRates, SpaceWise, Kiplinger, Organized Interiors
Top 3 Fears for First Time Home Buyers

Buying your first home is a BIG DEAL. But it may not be as “scary” as you thought!
We have helped tons of first time home buyers get into their first homes. Time and time again, the concerns, misconceptions and fears we discuss are the same.
Here are just 3 we hear all the time and often the reasons buyers decide they need to wait or that it “just wont for for them”.
We are here to tell you, its not as hard you think and when you work with someone like us, we will get all of the questions answered and guide you through the process each step of the way. Believe us, whatever you worried about or are afraid to ask, we have dealt with it before and can help you too!
If you are curious about buying and want to know more, let’s connect! We are here to help you Make Awesome Happen.
Also be sure to watch our First Time Buyer Play List on YouTube for more helpful information about buying your first home.
Homeowners Exemption

When buying a home for the first time you most likely want to save money any chance you get. It can seem like an overwhelming and never ending drain on your bank account. When you finally close on your new home you probably won’t want to even think about any more paperwork or transactions, but a quick trip to the County Assessor’s office to file a homeowner’s exemption will save you so much money each year in property tax.
What is it ?
An exemption that reduces the taxable value of your home up to a maximum of $100,000 in value.
Why do I need it?
By reducing the taxable value of your home, your taxes are much LESS and you SAVE! If you have a mortgage, this savings will likely reduce your total monthly mortgage payment.
Who Qualifies?
If you live in your home at least 6 months out of the year as your primary residence, you qualify!
When do I need to file?
You must file by the 15th of April in 2018!
Where do I file?
The county assessors office for the county in which you reside.
Remember: Idaho is a non-disclosure state and this means that you do not have to share the value of your home with the county when you apply (what you paid for it)
If you are not sure about your home owner exemption status, give us a call and we would be happy to help you! We are here to help!
TEAM TINDALL
JohnAndTracey.com
JohnTindall@Windermere.com
TraceyTindall@Windermere.com
J: 208.818.2456
T: 208.818.2365
Inventory shortage means good news for sellers.

If you’re like me, when you started the buying process you might have wondered why some houses are so outrageously priced and others are not. There are many factors that come in to play such as mortgage rates and availability, economic growth and personal demographics. But when prospective buyers are shopping their market, the one factor they may overlook is inventory shortage.
Real estate inventory is the quantity of houses that are available for purchase in any given market. When I’m out showing people properties, clients always amazed at how few mid-range homes there are. Clients also can’t believe how quickly they go.
The only time that inventory is a problem for home buyers is when the inventory is low. Basic economics. High demand and low supply yields high price tags for buyers. However, if you’re looking to sell, this is great news for you. The fewer homes available, the higher the price tag on your home.
In our current market in the Pacific Northwest, there has been an inventory shortage for several years. Due to the shortage, people are staying in their homes longer and moving less. Contractors are also in a bind because of the inventory shortages are causing prices to shoot through the room. Contractors don’t get paid for homes that sell for less than their cost for production, making them less inclined to build for fear of not making a profit.
In this quick video Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s chief Economist, breaks down the inventory shortage and it’s side effects. He also gives us a forecast for what might be to come.
How inventory shortages are impacting the housing market
Downtown Farmers Market

Now that it is nearly summer in Northern Idaho, you can almost hear a collective sigh of relief across the Panhandle. The sun is out, flowers are blooming and we can finally head downtown to Coeur d’Alene’s wonderful farmers market! John and I have always felt personal conviction to buy local and to support our community and what better way than going out to meet the faces behind all the hard work?
Just a short trip down town to 5th street and you’ll find dozens of tents full of color and aromas that will make you soar. Last year we bought some rare herbs for the garden at one of the local vendors and I was relieved to find that they are back again this year.
You’re also likely to find one or two dairies, some fresh made stone-fired pizza and handmade soaps and countless other crafts but my Granddaughter’s favorite is the strawberry ice cream that Sweet Peaks is selling. Sweet Peaks has been doing the farmers market for a while now, but are just opening up a food truck on 4th & Best Ave. They make all of their ice cream right on the spot with liquid nitrogen. It was really nice finally having ice cream that tasted like both cream and strawberries (real ones).
We hope you get out to the next one and make your own adventure like we did!
Hours
Downtown: Wednesdays 4pm-7
5th & Sherman
Hayden: Saturdays 9am-1:30
Hwy 95 & Prairie
What documents to keep and what to toss?

Tax time again and a mound of documents and not sure what to do with it all?
Hopefully you made it through another tax season and found all of your documents needed to file your return. Now, what documents do you need to keep and which ones should you toss? Here’s a little guideline which will help you with clearing out the old paperwork, but not throwing away anything that you might need later.
What to keep and what to toss?
John and Tracey Tindall
208-818-2365 or 2456