The Block 2021: How to create a home that appeals to buyers

The verdict has long been in. When it comes to property, it’s the homes with standout spaces that have always attracted attention.

But what are the must-have design features particularly coveted by buyers in the current market? And how do we go about creating them?

Consider these top tips from the experts.

Maximise multi-purpose spaces

Having spent more time than we could have possibly imagined in our homes over the past two years, the need for multifunctional spaces conducive to both work and play has taken on an unprecedented level of importance.

“The list of must-have inclusions for buyers and home renovators has increased substantially,” says Georgia Gregory of Frankly Interior Design. “The most popular that we’ve seen includes clever storage, a greater focus on the home office and adaptable spaces that can be transformed to work around a family.”

Real Estate Institute of Australia president Adrian Kelly agrees.

“COVID has definitely changed the way we live in our homes,” he says. “It has proved we can work from home – we didn’t break the NBN! So, multifunctional rooms for the whole family are certainly more important than ever.”

And that applies to all members of the family – young and old.

“Parents are looking for larger bedrooms where kids can have a proper study space,” Kelly says. “They want rooms that can be easily converted for different purposes.”

Keep the options open

After

Before

“Don’t go spending large sums of money on transforming spaces into the one specific use,” says Kelly, when cited the example of creating a home gym. “You really don’t know what the potential buyer is going to use the space for.”

But come open-for-inspection time, how can we clearly demonstrate that a more generic room has multi-purpose capability?

• The Block 2021 listings are live. See them here.

“It’s a bit like decluttering,” Kelly says. “It’s about keeping the room non-offensive and essentially putting the idea into a purchaser’s mind of whatever it is that they might choose to do with the space.”

Gregory concurs, saying, “The biggest piece of advice I would have is to ensure you don’t minimise the appeal to the broader buyer. Keep the styling to a minimum and ensure there is no clutter, so the potential buyer can clearly visualise themselves living in the space. Showing the diversity of a space can ensure the buyer can see the potential of the home.”

Think outside the square

Regardless of how a buyer may choose to adapt the various spaces in a home, there will always be particular rooms that win their way into homeowners’ hearts. And these wow-factor spaces may surprise you.

“Thanks to renovation shows like The Block, people have become more attuned to seeking spaces that push beyond the norm,” Gregory says. “This may include a butler’s pantry, walk-in wardrobes, media rooms or a sauna. Home owners are getting all of the standard home inclusions along with luxury additions that once would have been accessible for only a certain level of home owner.”

Be kind to the planet 

The good news is that sustainability is here to stay. So it’s perfectly fitting that a greener lifestyle should start in the home.

For this reason, a house that is both stylish and earth-friendly is sure, time and again, to impress buyers.

“A trend we’ve noticed with our clients is the demand for sustainable products, appliances and materials,” Gregory says. “A focus on double glazing, water-efficient systems and sustainable building materials has become a greater priority for those looking at buying, renovating or building properties.”