We hear this question a lot: What are the best North of Boston suburbs to buy a home and raise a family? We often point our clients to Arlington—a fabulous community just minutes from Boston that offers the perfect blend of small-town feel with big-city access. Maybe you were lucky enough to find your perfect home in Arlington years ago and enjoyed all of its wonderful amenities while raising your family.

Thinking it is time to downsize? You are likely to find many families eager to purchase your Arlington home, especially if you consider strategic improvements that would best appeal to the next generation of buyers. 

What Makes Arlington Special?

We strongly believe that Arlington deserves the attention it gets as a hot market for younger buyers. When we sit down with clients shopping for a home, they consistently ask about schools, safety and a sense of community. Arlington’s public schools consistently rank among the best in the state.

With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, extracurricular activities and student support, residents report that their children receive a top-notch education from kindergarten through high school. Safety is a top priority for any family and Arlington delivers. The town boasts low crime rates and a strong sense of community, allowing kids to play outside and families to feel secure in their homes.

We encourage buyers to visit the numerous outdoor spaces in Arlington, like Spy Pond and Robbins Farm Park and watch families enjoying a day of picnics, playground fun and water activities. We also suggest they explore the 10-mile rail trail of the Minuteman Bikeway and sample the delicious cuisine options in both Arlington Center and East Arlington. From ice cream parlors to bookstores and boutiques, there’s something for every family member in Arlington. 

Thinking about selling your home in Arlington? Explore these related resources for more advice.

• How to Find a Top Real Estate Agent For Your Sale
• Will I Be Taxed On The Sale of My Home?
• Selling a Home: FAQ

Adapting Your Home For the Next Generation

As a long term Arlington resident, you already know what a wonderful community you have enjoyed. We also believe your home could be worth more than you might expect, given how appealing the town is to young buyers.  However, what originally drew you to your property might not entice this new generation of buyer.

So, what investments might make the most impact when you hit the real estate market? Here are a few that we strongly recommend to sellers looking to appeal to young families:

Open Floor Plans

Even if you can’t remove walls to build an open kitchen/living area, you can still create a more flowing living space by removing clutter and clearing areas of excess furnishings. Consider removing family photos and piles of personal items. Removing some of your possessions will allow buyers to imagine their own items in the space.

Updated Appliances & Fixtures

The latest appliances are now so energy-efficient and capable of incredible performance. Buyers will appreciate that you have updated items that they will use on a daily basis.

Smart Home Technology

Consider installing smart thermostats, sound or security systems. Millennials love technology and will be very impressed by a new system that they can control from their smartphone.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Lighting fixtures can be one of the more dated decorative items in a home so an easy swap to a more modern-looking, energy-efficient light can have a huge impact.

Plenty of Storage

Consider investing in built-in shelving, closet systems, or garage organization. If you raised your family in your home, you’ve probably accumulated lots of stuff. After you have removed excess clutter, make sure everything has a home. You want buyers to feel like your home offers room to grow.

See downsizing in your future? Read these blogs next.

• How to Talk to Your Family About Downsizing 
• Downsizing: Will You Miss the Space?
• How to Declutter Your Home

Be Work-From-Home Ready

Ensure the home is wired for fast internet. If you have an extra bedroom that’s only being used for storage, consider cleaning it out and adding a desk to create a home office space. So many young buyers work remotely and are looking for that home office space.

Staging For Younger Tastes

We often encourage sellers to paint and stage their homes as one of the best ways to make a fabulous first impression. Choose neutral color schemes to create a clean, fresh look. Consider hiring a stager to come in and update your space with some modern furnishings and decor. If you have extra rooms that you really don’t use, empty them out. Allow the stager to create family spaces like a playroom or children’s bedroom. 

The best way to hit the mark with the right buyer audience is to work with a local agent who can assess your property and understand how to best make your home most appealing to buyers. Seasoned agents know what sells and who is looking in your neighborhood. They work with buyers all the time and hear exactly what is trending within a buyer pool. Take the time to invest in some updates that will attract a large buyer audience and see what a difference it can make!

Searching for a great real estate team in Arlington? Look no further than Andersen Group Realty! Click here to send us an email or call 781-729-2329 to get started.