McClelland Minute - November 15, 2009

What Women (and Men) Really Want

Got your attention, didn’t I?  Of course I am not an authority on everything women and men want in their life, but would like to weigh in with some observations of gender specific behaviour in real estate.

Let’s start with women because “if momma ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy” is true most of the time, either as a couple shopping together or with the escalating number of  female single parents buying homes.  The primary concern of these buyers start with security of the neighbourhood both for herself and the children.

We all know that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes but so does cleanliness.  A sparkling, well presented property will keep the female buyer there looking longer.  If it smells or needs deep cleaning, no matter how good the design, it will definitely rank lower on her list.  In today’s market, that usually means she won’t be back for a second look.

Closets and lots of them, organized for the area of the house they are located in, especially if one can walk into them with groceries or clothes in hand.  Well lit laundry rooms with counters for folding, handy outlets for irons, and good flooring.  Properly maintained furnaces and hot water tanks are important as is additional shelving in utility rooms for seasonal items.

Open living designs allow mother to prepare a meal while conversing with a child doing homework or playing at the computer.  Island kitchens are increasingly popular for today’s busy family.  In addition, there needs to be clear sight lines into the back yard from the kitchen / dining area to keep an eye on outside activity.

Men, of course, are in love with their big screen televisions and home theatre systems.  Any family room worth its salt has to have enough space for a group of friends to watch a football or hockey game.  As most of these are located in the basement, a gas fireplace in one corner, room for a bar fridge in the other, and a bathroom around the corner, are considered fundamental to entertaining.

Most men see a basement or garage ready for development as a project achievable within their skills. They won’t shy away from the work involved as it is an opportunity to build some equity in the home and maybe to justify some of the tools they have (or want).  Many really don’t care for interiors that require painting, unfinished yards, or fence construction.  Building the perfect deck though, maybe with a hot tub or room for a large grill, is something they can get their teeth into.

Of course there always exceptions and a prudent Realtor will never make assumptions.  I actually like working with both genders.  The real challenge is first understanding a client’s needs, then helping them achieve realistic goals within their budget.

Vern McClelland is associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster.  If you have questions or comments on this article or other real estate matters, he can be reached at 780.808.2700 or through the McClelland Group website www.mcclelland.ca

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