The Valuable Asset You Should List When Selling Your Home, According To Our Expert

As you begin preparing to sell your house, it's overwhelming to figure out which items to list as assets. After all, there are so many great aspects to your dwelling. How do you share them all so that buyers can ascertain that your property is the right one for them? Well, it turns out there is one surprising element that can push people to take the plunge — namely, parks. 

Yes, you read that right. Nearby parks are a bigger perk than you might expect. In an exclusive interview, House Digest discussed this subject with Lindsey Schmidt, Licensed REALTOR® in Virginia. She took time to speak on why this particular asset is so important and can really help buyers make a decision that leads to quicker offers and closings. "While the park may not significantly increase the value of the home, it will certainly compel buyers to offer more quickly and potentially go a little more aggressive on the offer price," she explained. 

So why does living near a park have such an impact on your resale? Schmidt said that real estate purchases are an "emotional decision," and she elaborated, "Buyers look at the value the market supports, but they also weigh factors such as proximity to things they need or enjoy (commuter routes, parks, etc). It is often these factors outside the home that compel them to be more aggressive with their offer." That's a major insight that can really change the way you market your home. 

If your home is located near a park, then, it's wise to note this when you're selling it. And as Lindsey Schmidt noted in her exclusive interview with House Digest, it's not just parks that can build a home's allure to buyers — other nearby amenities make a difference. "Many people have heard of the 'Whole Foods Effect' on real estate. When the surrounding area has retail and other conveniences nearby, the home will attract more attention." People want to have creature comforts close to home, like grocery stores, gas stations, and even home stores that are easily accessible. If you live near shops that you use frequently, you're spending less on gas or transportation, and using less commute time between these and home, all of which are very tempting for buyers. Schmidt adds that "Commuter routes and proximity to public transportation are also incredibly valuable."

While proximity to a park and other conveniences can boost the value of your home, the amount will always vary due to changing trends in the economy. Figuring out just how much a park ups your home's value isn't a black and white thing, as Schmidt pointed out that resale value comes down to several other factors. "This will depend on the area, the buyer pool and time of year."

If you do live near a park, and if you are planning to use this advice and list it on your assets, putting your house up in certain seasonal markets could help it sell faster. During our exclusive interview, Lindsey Schmidt shared some key insight on this point. "In a busy spring market, buyers are more likely to go aggressive with the emotional aspects like a park." If you can wait to put your home on the market for these kinds of overlapping interest times — for example, showing off outdoor areas in months people want to be outdoors, instead of mid-winter in colder climates — you might notice an uptick in interest. Many people follow the valuable HGTV real estate advice of checking out the neighborhood, too, so if you have selling points like parks, good schools, and close convenience shops, it will be to your benefit as a seller. While focusing on the layout of a new home is encouraged by experts, your surrounding areas are just as important!

In general, you shouldn't just sell your house — you should sell your community, and parks can be a big part of that. It's all about presenting what you love about that area and that home, so that other people can see those elements as reasons to move there, too. As Schmidt told us, "When I list a home for sale, I always ask my seller client to tell me what they love about their neighborhood and community, so that buyers get a feel for what their lifestyle will be in that home. Always share this info in the listing!"