Which Floor Types Do Homebuyers Look For?

Although it may not seem like a major factor, floor choice matters when it comes to selling your home. In a typical market, potential buyers will walk away from a home if the first impression isn’t a good one, and floors play a big role in that. You’ll want to consider style, durability, maintenance as well as its return on investment.

Gauging how much your floors contribute to your home’s overall appeal can be difficult, so we’ve compiled a list of floor types that homebuyers will love.

Most Popular Floor Types for Homebuyers

Hardwood (Solid or Engineered)

Hardwood floors are a timeless, attractive option that’s extremely reliable, durable and a long-time favorite for homebuyers. Realtors will tell you that hardwood floors make homes easier to sell, and that those homes actually sell for higher prices than those with non-hardwood floors. Although they are a significant investment, you’ll see great results in the long-term due to its popularity and visual appeal. When you combine the form and function of authentic hardwood floors, it’s easy to see why they are one of the best floor types for appealing to homebuyers.

Luxury Vinyl Tile & Plank

If you aren’t able to install genuine hardwood flooring, you might want to consider luxury vinyl tile and plank. When it comes to feasibility, resiliency and maintenance, luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring are hard to beat. This category comes in a wide array of styles and textures that allow it to mimic natural wood and stone. It’s flexible, versatile, affordable and great for the long-term, which is important to many homebuyers.

Laminate

Similar to luxury vinyl tile and plank, laminate flooring is an affordable option that can handle a ton physical activity and heavy foot traffic in the home. It’s also stain and scratch resistant, which makes it very appealing to homebuyers who have families and/or pets. Laminate looks very much like natural wood, using an embossed image on the surface atop a blend of various fibrous materials. If you’re looking for a tough, affordable hardwood look-alike that goes a long way, laminate is the choice for you.

Waterproof

If protection and preservation are your goals, you’ll want to consider waterproof flooring as an option before you sell your home, at least in certain areas. With the built-in protection of waterproof flooring, you’ll be able to guard moisture-prone rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and basements. The best part? Waterproof flooring is available in a multitude of different floor types, textures and price points. So if you want to mimic your favorite type (hardwood, for example), you can impress new homebuyers and raise your home’s profile without breaking the bank.

Depending on your budget and goals for your home, high-quality floors can be a great way to attract homebuyers. Floors are one of those aspects of a home that can be overlooked or seen as a game changer, depending on the potential homebuyer.

Choosing a floor type is a balancing act between functionality for your current family situation, indulging your own design preference and aligning with your goals for the future. There are so many options out there that can boost your home’s aesthetic and improve quality of life. It just takes consideration and research. Start by weighing your options, crunching the numbers and working with your real estate agent to determine which is right for you.