When you are house hunting you may not be thinking about resale value but it’s worth tucking this consideration into the back of your mind. Many times, homeowners find themselves at a point in life where they are looking to sell because they need more space to accommodate a growing family or later in life, when they want to downsize to a smaller place which is easier to maintain. These are both natural life transitions.

You may be asking yourself, What should I consider when thinking of a home as having good resale value?

This is a thoughtful question and while there is no guarantee that a home will retain its full resale value, you can look for promising signs to suggest the home you’re planning to buy will be a smart investment.

Promising Sign #1: A Thriving Neighborhood

Take a look around the neighborhood. Do you see signing of a thriving community with development happening nearby for businesses and new homes? Look for signs that the neighbors are taking pride in maintaining their homes and lawns. Consider if you’d be living a short drive from shopping, amenities, medical facilities, and the grocery store—all the essentials.

Promising Sign #2: A Quiet Street

Consider if you’d describe the street as quiet or busy with traffic. A peaceful setting compared to an abundance of traffic will be more desirable and more family-friendly, even if you don’t have children.

Promising Sign #3: Located in a Desirable School District

Parents want options for their children’s education and attending a good school is a great start. Take a moment to inquire about both the public and private schools located nearby and which school district the home is situated in. You may even want to inquire how far away the bus stop is located.

Promising Sign #4: Solid & Working Major Systems

Factor in the condition and working order for such things as the roof, foundation, water heater, HVAC system, windows, plumbing, electrical, and security system. These major systems should be in good working condition and be well-maintained.

Promising Sign #5: Good Natural Light

A dark home feels smaller and uninviting. Good natural light feels airy, welcoming, and spacious. Pay attention to the lighting in both the daytime and evening hours. Take a drive past the home in the evening to see how well lit the street and driveway are and where you may want to add solar lighting or trim branches and shrubs to allow more light to reach darker corners.

Promising Sign #6: Family-Friendly Floor Plan

Even if you don’t have children, having a floor plan that is family-friendly will be highly sought after because many homes are purchased for families. When in doubt, choose a traditional plan instead of something that’s quirky and feels small and cut-off from other areas of the home.  

Promising Sign #7: Situated in a HOA Community

Living in a community with a homeowner’s association (HOA) means the association usually keeps guidelines in place so all homes are well-maintained with regularly mowed lawns and other restrictions are observed. You can count on the HOA to ensure homes won’t permit your neighbors to paint their home a bright color that clashes with the neighbor or allow a home to look rundown which can hamper home values for everyone.

Promising Sign: #8: Desirable Number of Bedrooms & Baths

Families make up one of the largest group of people buying homes so having enough bedrooms and baths to accommodate a growing family is a big plus. If you have a choice between two bedrooms and a home with three, the three bedrooms will appeal to more when reselling. This especially valuable as more and more people are working from home and have the option to convert a bedroom into their home office space.

Promising Sign #9: Ample Storage Space

Many people collect too much stuff and want more space to store everything. A home with an abundance of storage space is highly desirable. Walk-in closets are almost essential compared to a home with small, compact closets.

Promising Sign #10: Ample Lot Size

A larger lot is enticing to buyers. This gives someone options to plant a vegetable garden, entertain outdoors, have an in-ground pool, or simply put some space between themselves and their neighbors.

I hope this gives you a few things to consider when thinking of a home with a higher resale value. Let me know how I can serve you. I’m happy to help you think through the best choices and find a winning home.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers and was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020 citywide. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.