Low-Maintenance Features Millennial Buyers Will Love

The low-maintenance movement has taken hold across generations of homeowners. For millennials-the leading segment of homebuyers-the lower, the better. So summarized by Jill Waage, editorial director of home content for Better Homes and Gardens: “They want to use their brains for other items, not for remembering whether they adjusted the heat or closed the garage door.”

Smart home automation has answered that call (admittedly with a few questionable products), basically guaranteeing low-maintenance living. Still, there are additional, lesser-known low-maintenance features millennials should think about when searching for the home of their dreams.A brick home, for instance, doesn’t demand the maintenance necessary for wood or vinyl siding. It won’t rot, and its color won’t fade, sparing the homeowner the expense to repaint the exterior. “Brick itself is a fairly low-maintenance building material, thanks to its durability and color retention,” explains Jason Hargraves of Angie’s List.

Similarly low-maintenance is metal roofing, which, as outlined by Paul Kazlov of Global Home Improvement, is “one of the most durable roofing materials available on the market.” Properly installed metal roofs don’t absorb water, reducing risk of damage from the elements and lessening the potential for costly repairs.

Inside the home, low- or no-maintenance features are practical in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen. Among the list of “least fussy finishes,” coins Consumer Reports’ Daniel DiClerico, are black stainless steel and quartz.

“Stainless steel has dominated appliances for decades. The only knock against the material is that it could be prone to smudges and fingerprints,” DiClerico says. “That’s creating a lot of interest in black stainless steel.” Thanks to its matte surface, black stainless steel resists smudges, significantly cutting down cleaning efforts. And quartz, which is non-porous and stain- and scratch-resistant, doesn’t require deep cleaning, either-or sealing, like other countertop materials do.

Wall paint can even be low-maintenance, with the right finish in the right room. Satin paint can be a cinch to clean, and could be especially practical in the kitchen or bathrooms; semi-gloss paint is ideal for baseboards and moldings.

“No matter what paint you decide to go with, our experts agree: steer clear of the cheapest choices,” says Stacy Giordullo, also of Angie’s List.

The common denominator for all of these features, not surprisingly, would be the low-maintenance factor-but they’ll also serve millennials well come resale. Now that’s a no-brainer! Nick & Cindy Davis are ready to assist you in your pursuit to find your new low-maintenance home. We are always available by calling 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we will be in touch.