How much Long Islanders spend on popular products

Homebuyers' wish lists always include an updated open kitchen, new bathroom, and large, organized storage space.

But in recent years, especially since the pandemic forced people to stay at home for months or even years, there has been a growing demand for outdoor living spaces with a personal touch.

Looking back on her 28 years in the industry, Keller Williams agent Gina Padro said, “We're seeing people invest in their gardens in a way they didn't before.”

Inside the home, buyers look for everything from private bathrooms with spa-like features to additional living areas, gyms, and game rooms. But experts say what buyers are most looking for is a kitchen that opens onto a dining or family room.

I do it because I want to enjoy my time here.

— Advice for current and prospective homeowners considering renovations from Keller Williams agent Gina Padro

In today's low inventory market, many buyers are willing to make renovations because it's hard to find everything in one home. It also allows sellers to make updates quickly and inexpensively to attract buyers.

Here's Padro's advice for current and future homeowners: “Please do that because I want to enjoy it while I'm here.”

What's popular outside the house?pool, kitchen, patio, pavilion

They definitely think a lot about the outside.

— Peter Anthony Pietromonaco, Owner, Peter Anthony Landscape Design and Build Specialists

Padro has seen a significant increase in in-ground pool installations since the start of the pandemic, in line with the increased demand for patios, decks, outdoor kitchens and fire pits across the island.

Over the past several years, clients of Peter Anthony Landscape Design and Architecture Specialists have primarily requested walkways, driveways, patios, and small circular fire pits. Customers are now asking for outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pavilions, pools, and paved patios.

“They definitely think outside the company a lot,” said Peter Anthony Pietromonaco, 57, owner of the Bohemia-based company since 1989.

The complete renovation of Pietro Monaco's gardens includes the addition of a patio and pool. However, over the past 18 months, no customer has requested a deep end for their pool, and many of the pools installed by the contractors he works with are now 20×10 deep, rather than the standard large. ft., he said. 20 to 40 years ago.

These projects are shrinking in size and rising in price.

”[Prices] It’s crazy,” Pietromonaco said, adding that he is working with a pool contractor.

A 20-by-40-foot pool that cost about $24,000 all-in before the pandemic now costs between $55,000 and $60,000.

The 12-by-24-foot pool he's currently building will cost about $45,000 all-in, “but it's still big enough to play in.”

A basic outdoor kitchen with a 6-foot-tall island with a grill, countertop and refrigerator costs about $8,000, Pietromonaco said.

If you increase the size of the island and add a bar, the price can rise to about $15,000 or more. Pavilion additions with slide-down screens, ceiling fans, and recessed lighting options start at about $20,000.

Center Island Contracting Inc. primarily does home additions and renovations, but outdoor kitchens are now more popular among customers, Lewitas, 53, said.

Ruwitas said customers want prep stations, outdoor cabinets, grills, bars, gas, electric and water, and prices can reach $500,000 for the most spectacular backyard makeovers.

For some buyers, a capital improvement price tag isn't necessary to get outdoor space for entertaining.

For those on a budget, “anything that has a sink and stove is an outdoor kitchen,” which can cost thousands of dollars, according to Louwitas.

Lisa Ferraro, a real estate sales representative with Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, has worked in the industry for 14 years and says that improving your outdoor space is a great way to make it more attractive to buyers. , says it's easy to do most of the time, even for your own enjoyment. .

Homeowners can spend a few hours at a home improvement store and make significant improvements on a small budget.

From power washing your patio and adding new cushions and furniture, to adding string lights to trees and fences and solar-powered lights to your walkway, to adding a wood-burning fire pit, improve your outdoor space with these easy additions. You can make it more attractive to buyers.

Outdoor living spaces are so popular that many homeowners are adding heating equipment to extend the season into fall and even winter, Ferraro said.

People want to experience outdoor spaces. It could be as simple as sitting on a nice patio or on a porch swing with warm lighting and colorful plants.

“It makes a world of difference and makes you feel special,” Ferraro said. “The exterior is just as important now, but it never was.”

Popular room amenities: kitchen, bathroom, suite

A home is an emotional purchase. It's a place where people watch their lives unfold and want it to be beautiful. They want it to be a retreat. Don't you all want a little luxury?

— Lisa Ferraro of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty

Luxury buyers in the Hamptons and other expensive areas are looking for a lifestyle, said Jack Pearson, a licensed real estate broker with Compass.

“They want a five-star experience,” Pearson said. For the past 25 years, Mr. Pearson has primarily sold vacation homes, which currently range in price from $1.5 million to $20 million. Buyers in this price range are looking for high-end appliances, bathroom plumbing, a pool, possibly a gym, and often a home office.

The few homes on the market rarely have everything they want, so buyers are willing to make renovations to create an escape.

“What the pandemic has made clear for many people is that they need a safe haven, and their homes and gardens provide a safe haven,” he said.

Homeowners enjoy a haven with an updated kitchen that connects to the living and dining areas, an additional private bathroom in each bedroom, multiple living areas including a family room and game room, gorgeous outdoor space, and more. I will create it.

“I think what everyone wants is the most they can get for their budget,” Pearson said.

David Sharbani, president of Manhasset-based Elite Kitchen & Bath/Express Contracting, said nearly all kitchen and bathroom projects involve the complete removal of an existing room, which reduces the square footage of a kitchen. He said a kitchen could cost between $50,000 and $400,000, depending on growth and other factors. You can also set up a kitchen or relocate it to another part of your home.

Sharbani and Lewitas said many kitchen renovation projects involve removing walls to create an open concept.

This type of project, which involves stripping a kitchen down to the studs, insulating, rewiring, and adding new flooring, countertops, appliances, fixtures, and lighting, costs at least $50,000 “because we can do anything,” including moving the stairs. to infinity, Ruwitas said. , raised ceilings, and other significant improvements.

As vice president of his company, Mr. Louitas has seen clients buy $1 million to $2 million homes and then spend an additional $500,000 on renovations.

“The more expensive the house, the less of a marginal decision it is to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he says.

Kitchen renovations cost at least $50,000, so Ferraro advises owners to make most kitchens more modern, including painting aging cabinets and replacing hardware, countertops and backsplashes. We advise you to update sparingly.

“This is an expensive endeavor, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be done.”

Ferraro said what buyers are most looking for is to have a kitchen that opens to a dining room or family room, followed by a master bedroom that is a sanctuary with a walk-in closet and a spa-like bathroom. It is said that it is a thing.

Beyond the kitchen, most of Sharbani's clients want to upgrade their primary suites with walk-in closets and luxurious private bathrooms, the latter costing between $35,000 and $150,000.

For those on a much smaller budget, reupholstering a bathroom can cost around $12,000, while just replacing the toilet and sink/vanity can cost $3,000.

For a reputable construction company to demolish a small 5-foot-by-8-foot bathroom, like Mr. Sharbani's, it would cost a considerable amount, at least $18,000 to $20,000, and thousands more for expensive equipment. Ruwitas also said that the price of the dollar will rise.

But even buyers with more modest budgets want those shapes, Ferraro said.

Other features that will appeal to buyers include smart home systems for heating, cooling, and security, whole-house water filters, hardwood floors, and, of course, lots of storage.

Many clients still want a home office, and having an extra bedroom, finished basement or other space that can be used as an office is a big plus, Ferraro said.

If you don't have an extra bedroom or extra space, Ferraro reminded sellers to do what may seem obvious: give it a fresh coat of paint, remove clutter, and keep the home clean.

“At the end of the day, a home is an emotional purchase. It's a place where people see their lives unfolding, and they want it to be beautiful. People want it to be a retreat. '' said Ferraro. “Don’t you all want a little luxury?”