Business & Tech
Come On Baby, Light My Fire: House Hunt
Home buyers in the northern half of the country seek out family rooms and fireplaces. Why not give them both? Here are some Oak Lawn homes to appeal to those who are looking for "home and hearth."
“Cocooning” is a phrase invented in the 1990s by “trend forecaster” Faith Popcorn. She used it to describe the growing inclination of people to socialize less and retreat indoors more, to shop and communicate and work from the comfort of their homes. It’s not really applicable to Chicago area folks, who appreciate and take advantage of the warmer months like no one else. And it’s especially not descriptive of Oak Lawn residents, who are involved in the community and family-oriented events all year long. (Only 2% of us work from home, too.)
But let’s face it, when it’s February, and 20 degrees seems warm, and you’ve shoveled the driveway for the ninth time since Christmas, cocooning can seem like a pretty attractive option. There’s nothing like snuggling up in your family room with Netflix, popcorn and a cozy fire to keep the winter blues away.
There’s just something about fireplaces that turns us on. 78% of prospective home buyers want them. Not surprisingly, that number is highest in the North. Whether a fireplace conjures up the image of Santa delivering his toys, of a ski lodge atop a mountain, or wine and romance on a bearskin rug, Americans really love the idea of a fireplace in their homes. Maybe we’re just ingrained with a “home and hearth” gene.
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If you’re selling a home with a fireplace, you’ve got a major plus. Realtors advise you to play it up for all it’s worth. (Generally, it’s worth an additional 6-12% added to your sale price.) If you can afford to, install a beautiful mantel to evoke the idea of warmth and security. When you’re showing your home to a prospective buyer, have a fire going. If you’re holding an open house, put a natural wreath up and leave a few glasses of wine in front of your hearth. Light a spicy scented candle nearby.
The days are getting shorter and the darkness is getting longer. If you can make your prospective buyers feel warm and safe in your home as winter draws near, you may have a cold weather house closing. And that’s a notion that should give everyone the warm fuzzies.
