5 real estate trends to know before selling your Washington, DC home

It’s a seller’s market in our nation’s capital, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get an offer as soon as you list your home. District of Columbia home buyers are looking for specific things these days: attractive outdoor space, easy access to transportation, an urban setting and clean, neutral decor.

To advise District of Columbia-area sellers on what they should highlight in their listings, top area real estate agents listed by real estate data company OpenHouse Realty (a U.S. News partner) offer details on home and design trends — and why close proximity to public transit always sells.

Urban is in. A property in the District’s urban core is likely to sell quickly. People want to stay in the city, observes Nate Guggenheim, an agent with Washington Fine Properties, LLC. Empty nesters are downsizing from the suburbs and moving into downtown neighborhoods. So are young adults, who are opting for urban homes. “It’s no longer the trend to have kids and move to the suburbs,” Guggenheim says.

[Read: 6 Ways to Sell Your Washington, D.C., Home Fast.]

From the NOMA area (“North of Massachusetts Avenue”) to the Logan Circle and Eckington neighborhoods, many places throughout the District of Columbia are experiencing a resurgence. Neighborhoods once off the radar like Brookland are hitting their stride, says David Bediz of the Bediz Group, LLC. Located near The Catholic University of America and close to the Metro’s Red Line, this residential neighborhood with modest bungalow houses and tree-lined streets has reinvented itself as an entertainment and arts destination. There’s an arts walk, “where there’s a collection of garage-size studios, and artists live and work out of garage storefronts,” Bediz says.

Just as Brookland has its artists, every area in the District has some feature that sellers can play up. Selling a home in Capitol Hill? Highlight that it’s cheaper to live in the District’s Southeast quadrant than in the Northwest area — and it’s a favored destination for those with a job on the Hill. If your property is in the 14th Street corridor, mention that it’s the place to be if you’re a foodie, says Bediz. The area is home to great restaurants such as Kapnos, Ghibellina and Le Diplomate — which Bediz gives credit for “the best beef bourguignon I’ve ever had.”

Walkability is a big selling point. If your home is located near a Metro station or other public transport, say so — that’s a coveted feature District buyers look for. “Walkable urban environments are popular right now,” Guggenheim says.

In a career-driven town like the District of Columbia, an easy commute is important. Any time a property is located near reliable public transit, it’s likely to do better than properties in the suburbs. Outside the District of Columbia, suburban hubs in Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland, and Arlington, Virginia, continue to rise in popularity owing to their walkability and close proximity to public transit.

[Read: A Buyer’s Guide to Arlington, Virginia.]

Play up the great outdoors. Outdoor spaces are becoming an extension of the home, says Kimberly Cestari, a real estate agent with Long & Foster. “I’m seeing people in this area buying natural wood-burning fire pits or portable gas fire pits. They’re using their outdoor space for the three seasons, even sitting out there in early winter.” These spaces don’t have to be big, just big enough to place some comfortable chairs — and depending on the time of year, a few gas heaters for the patio.

Bediz agrees people are taking advantage of every square foot and investing in casual indoor-outdoor living. “We’re not seeing formal living rooms any more. People want big, open areas, open floor plans, letting the sunlight in,” he says.

Earth tones are out. That was the trend about 15 years ago. Now it’s all about cooler tones and grays, experts say. Cestari says the simpler the space, the better people can picture their own belongings in the home. “It’s the idea that less is more. The look of [upscale home furnishing retailer] Restoration Hardware is in. Very clean, simple interior space is extremely popular among all buyers.”

Wood flooring is trending toward darker tones, Guggenheim adds, and kitchens in whites or very light colors are popular right now. “In the condo sphere, most of the design tends to trend toward the contemporary. I’m seeing reclaimed-looking wood and a lot of glass used for the facades of new condo buildings.”

[Read: How to Get the Best Price For Your Downtown D.C. Condo.]

Eye for design is improving. Eclectic art pieces are appearing on those neutral-toned walls in many District homes. These days, it’s trendy to buy pieces from local artists in neighborhoods like U Street or Capitol Hill, or renderings of a map of the District. For some moving to the area from other parts of the country, a map of the Metro train system or an oil painting highlighting the District of Columbia’s capital star is a collector’s piece.

Area residents have definitely developed an eye for design, observes Guggenheim. “This used to be a staid city, where the decor wasn’t that eclectic or original.” That’s changing, he says. “People are taking more of an interest in decor , furniture and art. And that’s coinciding with D.C. growing an identity as a city. People are taking more pride in their specific neighborhoods, and that is reflected in how they’re setting up their home s.”

Looking for a real estate agent in Washington, D.C.? Our Find an Agent tool can match you to the person who’s most qualified for the job.

More from U.S. News

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10 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast

5 Real Estate Trends to Know Before Selling Your Washington, D.C., Home originally appeared on usnews.com

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