Our agents are committed to finding a home for their buyers that makes their heart skip a beat, a home that they immediately can picture themselves spending the rest of their lives in. We asked Marco Rufo, an agent with our Pacific Palisades office, for his input on what he thinks it takes for a home to make a buyer fall in love.
“If a buyer is looking for a traditional style home, they are almost always looking for stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and I get a lot of requests about the Viking brand. On the other hand, modern and contemporary-style homes almost usually have all black, modern appliances. In these homes, I see a lot of Wolf appliances.”
Though appliances are important, Marco tells us that countertops are really what set the mood. Granite is and has been on the list of must-haves for many homebuyers, but engineered-stone products primarily made of quartz are beginning to replace granite in high-end homes.
If homebuyers had a dating profile, their ideal kitchen would have:
For the ladies: A large center island in the kitchen.
For the fellas: Full audio and lighting control system in the house.
Whether you are selling, buying, or are currently a homeowner, these are two features that homeowners these days are searching for.
“There are some features that just won’t go out of style–and for good reason. If you are a homeowner, I suggest making sure that your home has several, if not all of these features.”
“Open floor plans are very popular right now. We see it specifically in the kitchen and great room, even opening up the eat-in breakfast area. This allows for more socializing, and is great for hosting dinner parties or having family over.”
Marco also says that two-story homes are more desirable, due to the amount of bedrooms they can have. “Large families gravitate to two-story homes because it’s double the space. Additionally, when you live in Southern California, you are bound to have friends and family wanting to come stay with you, so having that extra level and extra rooms can be a lifesaver.”
Backyards are a must in Southern California, but Marco advises to make sure that a few things always pair up:
Office: Pacific Palisades
Ideal home features: A home with a grand entrance and open floor plan with an East Coast traditional style.
Why Marco loves working in real estate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties: He loves the agent and broker network, the accessibility, and the brand and image that the company have.
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February 10th, 2016 at 10:00 am