Joyner Fine Properties Blog What can sellers do to make their homes look great in 2017?

Any experienced real estate professional can tell selling clients all about the importance of making a home presentable before an open house. Obviously any imperfections or clutter can be a bit of a turn-off to would-be buyers, and it's therefore important for all involved to make sure a home is as attractive as possible. Part and parcel with that necessity, though, is the fact that what buyers want to see often changes as time goes on.With this in mind, it's important for agents and sellers alike to keep in mind what the latest trends in home improvement are, with a focus on boosting that return on investment as the selling season gets underway in earnest, according to Jeff of All Trades. One of the big trends in the new year is that people want nicer kitchen areas so they can focus on preparing healthy, home-cooked meals. Kitchen redesigns, whether large or small, have long been a focus ahead of real estate sales, but figuring out ways to create more space for cooking is now a must.Other areas to focus onAlong similar lines, when it comes to living healthy, many Americans now seem to also want to be able to cultivate fruits, vegetables and herbs in their homes. To that end, finding a spot to install even a small greenhouse-type window with the intention of giving plants plenty of light to help them thrive could be just another attractive selling point that scores big with potential buyers. For those with a little more space, it might be possible to set up a small indoor grow house with water and light access provided on an ongoing basis.In general, people are more focused on going green, so any installations that help to conserve water or energy, or perhaps cut down on waste in general, could go a long way toward boosting a current homeowner's return on investment.Focusing on the outsideThe concept of curb appeal isn't in any way new, but the focus on healthy living and more of an outdoors-y feeling translates here as well, according to Trulia. The more homeowners can do to make the plant life in their yards thrive ahead of a sale - and perhaps this includes planting a small tree so new buyers can watch it grow over the years - the more likely it becomes that buyers will be charmed by all the greenery they see. Along similar lines, it might also be wise to build a small garden in the back yard for even more growing space, and that's the kind of DIY job that can be completed in an afternoon.In general, the more agents and sellers can do to collaborate on what kinds of improvements to make ahead of an open house, the better. Often, something as simple as keeping on top of the latest design trends and learning more about what buyers want can inform the best possible decisions.Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty. HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click www.hmsnational.com.