It stands to reason that the more features your house has, the more selling power it has. This said, it is reasonable to assume that a domestic’s room would be a positive selling point for your house but before we go making assumptions, let’s explore if this is in fact so.
Does It Work?
In a valuation of your property, a free-standing domestic’s room might be classified as an outbuilding. And the better equipped the room, i.e. if it has working plumbing, an electricity supply, bathroom facilities with separate shower and a kitchenette, the more value it adds to your house. It also makes sense to ensure the room is clean, freshly painted, decently carpeted or tiled, with plenty of natural light and security features. The better the amenities and the more the domestic’s room has to offer in terms of liveable comfort, the greater the selling power it has. It also helps you attract a wider pool of buyers.
Perfect for a Live-In Helper
The obvious positive attribute afforded by a domestic’s room is that if the buyer does employ a live-in domestic or au pair, he/she will be able to offer the employee a comfortable and safe place to stay. And those buyers who do employ a live-in domestic or au-pair in this day and age will most likely be committed to securing the best possible conditions for their employee. This will make your house stand out as a convenient and sensible choice when the buyer considers all his/her prospects.
A Buyer’s Perspective
Picture it from the buyer’s point of view; the more work he/she feels needs to be done to get the domestic’s room into a decent and liveable condition, the less he/she will feel inclined to offer on the house. And the amount the buyer will be factoring in for necessary renovations will most likely be more than it would cost you to make the effort. In other words, it pays to make the effort or you’ll end up undermining the potential leverage of the domestic’s room.
Plenty of Potential
Even if a prospective buyer does not employ a live-in domestic or au-pair, which is the norm rather than the exception these days, a domestic’s room holds plenty of potential for the buyer. The room could be converted into a guest room, workshop, or study. It could also function as a flatlet, bound to be coveted by a teenager seeking a little independence or accommodation for a student seeking quarters close to his/her college, technikon or university. The latter option offers the buyer the added bonus of being able to generate an extra income stream.
A domestic’s room that has been well-maintained and/or renovated to equal the general condition of your house and property, is certainly a powerful selling plus when putting your house on the market.