3 Original Home Features That Are Incredibly Valuable
Not to sound too much like your high-school economics teacher, but the whole principle of supply and demand really rings true in real estate. This means that some of those rare vintage (even quirky) features you may have in your home could drive up the value of your property, and real estate experts say think twice about removing them amid a home renovation.
Everything from an at-home garden to soundproof walls, fireplaces, soaring ceilings, and a stand-alone bathtub can increase the value of your home, says Cathy Hobbs, a real estate stager, licensed real estate agent, author of Home Design Recipes: Room by Room Recipes for Design, and celebrity interior designer based in New York City.
But don’t sleep on bygone architectural features, either, she says. Original wood, stained-glass, or other elements that are no longer “produced” can hold significant value, Hobbs says.
Here are three oldies but goodies that you should never remove if you have them in your home, according to real estate pros.
Original Wood Floors
Keeping original wood floors was the top feature that real estate experts I reached out to identified as adding value to a home.
Authentic mid-century or vintage hardwood floors are highly sought after, especially if they’ve been well-maintained or refinished, says Shaun Osher, CEO of Core Real Estate and head of sales at Hendrix House, a new residential development in New York City.
“There are countless videos online of buyers pulling up carpet or linoleum only to find original hardwood floors underneath, which, of course, results in a massive celebration,” Osher says. “Buyers love the warmth and character they add.”
“Vintage wood floors are a huge selling point for many buyers,” agrees Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, the CEO of real estate firm Integrity All Stars in Phoenix.
“Many people install new and natural wood floors in their homes, but they don’t look nearly as good as gracefully aged wood floors that have been kept in good condition,” she says.
Vintage Tiles
Today’s buyer is searching for character, and features like artistic tiles tend to be very compelling to someone looking for that extra bit of charm, Osher says.
Bathrooms or kitchens with original, intact vintage tiles — particularly those with art deco or mid-century modern patterns — are prized for their authenticity.
“As tiles have tended to trend toward the subway tile size or even larger, these smaller, more intricate designs and colors have become difficult and expensive to replicate, driving up home value,” he says.
Centuries-old Delft tiles have recently made a comeback. These blue-and-white Dutch tiles often illustrate flora, fauna, and farmlands and originally were hand-painted.
Conversation Pits
As a kid, I remember touring homes with my parents as we made our move from Michigan to Colorado. The only house I remember looking at was one with a conversation pit in the living room. (I imagined filling it up with those colorful hollow plastic balls to create the ultimate amenity: a ball pit). Though they didn’t pick the house, I still think about conversation pits to this day, and apparently I’m not the only one.
“We have seen a huge resurgence in the popularity of the ‘sunken living room’ or ‘conversation pit,’” says Baron Alloway, broker for Alloway Property Group in Toronto.
Not only do conversation pits provide a retro-era inspired look to a home, but when you add in furniture it creates a functionally versatile space that’s perfect for reading, games, or dinner-party conversation.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
