Are you one of the many Americans who has found solace in baking while stuck at home? Cookies, cake, bread and pie have long been considered comfort foods. Even the DoubleTree chain has released the recipe for its popular chocolate chip cookies to the public. While you can't check into a hotel for these gooey treats during the pandemic, at least you can now check out its website for how to make them in your own kitchen.
If you're new to baking – and you've found your own pandemic-scarce flour source – these pro tips can help you create a baking center in your kitchen now. If you find that you love it, and want to continue even after your favorite bakery reopens, consider the tips for designing a complete baking center into your next kitchen project.
Getting Started
James Beard Foundation Awards nominee, judge, and longtime food writer Lisa Chernick's new book, Your Starter Kitchen (Tiller Press, August 2020), shares insights on what you need, what you don't, and when to save or splurge for those setting up their own kitchen. She offers her advice to Forbes.com readers for getting equipped for baking. "Beginner bakers should keep it simple! Be realistic about the projects you want to tackle and buy gear for those; don't go nuts," she cautions.
"Start with a loaf pan for tea cakes or banana bread, an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan for brownies, a 9- by 13-inch rectangular pan for sheet cakes and fruit crumbles, a rimmed baking sheet for cookies (and to make granola!), and round 8- or 9-inch pan(s) for layer cakes. It's also good to have a pie plate and a muffin tin. You can wait on more esoteric stuff like springform pans for cheesecake, tart pans, and madeleine forms, to name a few."
Chernick adds, "You'll also need a whisk, rubber scraper, mixing bowls, two sets of dry measuring cups/spoons (having two means not having to stop and wash midway through a recipe), liquid measuring cup(s), parchment paper for lining pans, an electric mixer (handheld is fine), and at least one cooling rack."
Professional chef and trainer Bridget Bueche of Cooks Perspective agrees: "I am not a fan of buying small appliances as a trendy whim. If someone is going to start baking, invest in quality equipment for the long term. Buy one piece at a time and build as you go," she advises. "A stand mixer is a better investment than a cumbersome one-size-fits all bread maker," Bueche observes. "For artisan bread baking, proofing baskets and a quality cast iron pot with a lid is the best investment that allows you to use a standard oven." Baking steels and pizza stones turn a conventional oven into a baker's oven by distributing heat more evenly & efficiently, she notes.
Organizing Tips
Creating a baking center in your kitchen isn't just about the gear itself. It's also about how and where you store it. Your goal is convenience, so that baking continues to be more of a pleasure than a chore. "Store your baking sheets, cooling racks, and muffin tins vertically for easy access and to save space," Chernick recommends. It's not uncommon for a kitchen to have base cabinets that are too narrow for storing pots and pans. If yours does, and it's located close to the oven or your preferred prep space, it can be repurposed by removing the center shelf and installing a DIY-friendly tray divider. If yours doesn't have such a cabinet, the otherwise hard-to-use space above a wall oven or over-the-range microwave can make a good home for a divider and vertical storage.
To save additional space, the author suggests, "Buy stackable mixing bowls and measuring gear. And know that two baking sheets take up nearly the same space as one, so keep two on hand and you'll be glad whenever you're baking cookies." You'll want to keep those, along with your non-refrigerated baking ingredients, in close proximity to each other to make the prep process as efficient as possible.
Saves and Splurges
"The best way to save on baking gear is to not over-buy!" Chernick declares. That means no fancy pans or decorating equipment until you actually need it, she notes. "Instead, splurge on high-quality basics and you'll only need to buy them once; well-constructed gear can last a lifetime. If you're looking for a super big splurge, go for a stand mixer – it's like a Rolls Royce for your kitchen," she shares.
"Vermicular is my hands-down favorite small appliance at this time," shares Bueche. "It's a portable induction unit with an incredible Japanese-crafted enameled cast iron vessel. I use it for everything from baking bread in my oven to melting butter or coconut oil, tempering chocolate, making yogurt, cooking grains or searing then slow-cooking proteins." The chef-trainer adds, "Baking steels and pizza stones turn a conventional oven into a baker's oven by distributing heat more evenly and efficiently."
Revealing one of her trade sources, Bueche suggests, "Chefs' Toys is a great place to buy online pro-style baking equipment and tools at a great value. Beginners and seasoned bakers alike want easy to clean and reliable equipment."
Post-Pandemic Baking Center
All of the tools Chernick recommends should earn a place in a long-term baking center, if this hobby becomes a lifelong passion. Many serious home bakers have gone beyond the basics, asking their builder or remodeler to create a baking center in their new kitchens.
When creating a plan from scratch, you can determine where your storage, prep space and appliances should go in relation to each other. A baking center should be designed around your oven (or ovens) with the following essentials:
Clear countertop space for mixing ingredients
Electrical outlets
Task lighting
Drawer storage with organizers for small baking tools like whisk, measuring spoons, mixing spoons, scraper, etc.
Deeper storage for larger items like mixing bowls, loaf pans, measuring cups and handheld mixer
Tall storage for baking trays, muffin tins and other vertically-held items
Anti-fatigue mat for standing for long periods while mixing your ingredients.
If your budget allows for a larger investment, these additions can make your baking center work even better:
Engineered stone countertops won't ever need to be sealed; some hybrids like Dekton handle heat from pans out of the oven exceptionally well
Base cabinet mixer lift
Roll out-tray divider if storing your bakeware vertically in a base cabinet
Spice organizer
Base cabinet roll-out trays, pull-out or deep drawers for holding staples like flour, sweetener, oil, etc.
Under-counter fridge for cold staples like butter and milk
Compact dishwasher for cleaning large bowls and pans
Cookbook or phone/tablet holder to keep them clean while referring to recipes
Pro Appliance Advice
Bueche works has decades of experience helping appliance retailers train non-chefs on using the cooking and baking models they sell. (She was one of the founding executives of the luxurious, experiential Pirch showrooms.) When it comes to appliances you should consider for your future kitchen's baking center, she recommends, "A new or remodeled kitchen should not be without a convection steam oven! It's a baker's best friend!" This oven will also perfectly reheat foods, including day-old bread, she says. "It's the best clean food reheating technology out there, none-the-less a super sanitizer!"
Another feature these convection steam ovens — also called combi-steam ovens — offer is the ability to combine dishes in the same cooking cycle without odor transfer. In other words, if you're making sole almondine, baked asparagus with parmesan, fresh bread, and strawberry tarts for dessert, you can make them all at the same time in the same oven. That's a tremendous convenience and energy saver.
If you're working with a limited footprint, Bueche notes that "There are several major brands that inject bursts of steam in their ranges for bread-baking specifically. Convection baking modes have become a standard in almost every oven on the market."
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We're spending more time in our kitchen than ever before, and we're utilizing all the gadgets in our arsenal to make our home-cooked meals as special as can be. If you were eating out every night and you're now finding yourself in an understocked kitchen, now's the time to shop for new appliances. There are so many great staples at Wayfair, and some are even on sale, so now's the time.
From classic KitchenAid mixers to coffee machines and ice cream makers that are perfect for summer, these 13 picks are what your kitchen has been looking for. We've got our eyes on a food processor so we can make our own peanut butter and a Vitamix that's on sale in a major way. Just keep reading to shop.
KITCHEN appliances, printers, fans and air conditioners are popular items during the movement control order (MCO) period.
Several electrical and electronics shops said they have been recording good sales since they resumed business about a week ago.
Harvey Norman area manager Quah Cheng Chooi said there was rising demand for fans, air-conditioners and printers at the outlet in Queensbay Mall.
"The weather is humid theses days and with many people having to work from home, we have recorded good sales for fans and air-conditioners, together with printers.
"We have been receiving 40 to 50 customers daily since we reopened our door to the public, and our online sales have tripled during the MCO.
"Many customers have moved towards online shopping as we are offering promotions and home deliveries.
"We have been shipping out between 10 to 20 items daily in Penang, " he said, adding that most of the walk-in customers were serious buyers.
"They already knew what they wanted before coming in, " said Quah.
Among the customers spotted was hawker Por Beng Kuan, 59, who bought a bread toaster.
"Since the MCO started, everyone is a chef at home.
"My family used to eat out in the morning, but now we have our breakfast at home.
"We've been wanting to have a toaster at home and now is the good time to buy one, " he said.
Over at SEC electronics store in Jalan Burma, its branch manager Alvin Lim said almost all the customers who walked in made purchases.
"We closed for about a month and reopened on Saturday.
"Entering the holy month of Ramadan, most of the customers bought cooking appliances such as ovens, " he said.
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Getting a technician to come into your home to fix the cable or wireless doesn't just require an appointment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also involves a questionnaire:
Has anyone been sick or quarantined? Has anyone come in contact with someone who has or had COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus? Are you OK with following social distancing guidelines?
Condo residents also need to check with the association first to make sure the worker is still allowed to enter the building. That's because some condo associations have stricter rules during the pandemic. And some buildings could consider plumbing issues essential while other jobs, like adjusting storm shutters, sliding doors or air conditioning, could be seen as preventative measures.
And for electricians, plumbers, air conditioning repair technicians and other in-home service workers, doing the job now comes with the added responsibility of suiting up, cleaning up and finding ways to do repairs with minimal contact.
"We are all having to do things a lot differently," said Lucia Fonseca, one of the owners of Elekron Electric, which is based in Coral Gables.
Fonseca said her three technicians now have a mask, gloves, even shoe coverings to put on before entering someone's home. She also sends a questionnaire to potential customers before sending a technician.
This is life under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Florida under stay-at-home orders for now, more people are relying on working lights, Internet connectivity, water and air conditioning. All of which are considered essential services.
Mary Jo Trepka, an epidemiologist with Florida International University, said a person has to "weigh the risks" when it comes to allowing someone in their home. A broken air conditioner could be a health issue and warrant someone coming in to make the necessary repairs, she said. But in any case, Trepka said both the customer and the service provider should wear masks and obey social distancing guidelines.
"Having one person come into your house is not nearly as risky as going to the grocery store," she said.
Brandsmart USA CEO Michael Perlman says there's less foot traffic at Brandsmart USA because of the crisis, but has also noticed an increase in customers looking to buy "necessary" appliances unexpectedly.
"We've had people almost in tears," tell employees their freezer, fridge or another "necessary" appliance broke and they need a new one immediately, he said. The Fort Lauderdale-based consumer electronics and appliance retailer has been able to handle the sales quickly during the crisis, he said, because its supply warehouses are in South Florida.
And while you might be able to avoid contact with others if you order online, you don't have much of a choice if your toilet gets clogged or if your air conditioner breaks.
Manny Barbadaes, who owns MBI Plumbling in Pembroke Pines, said he is taking precautions that include wearing masks and gloves. He also has had some clients who have left the home so he could complete his work. He said he does his best to minimize the time at someone's home.
"No matter what, people need their plumbing to work," said Barbadaes, who said since the pandemic began he has gone through about 400 pairs of gloves.
Stephen Shea, of Action Air in Coral Gables, said customers appreciate the essential service.
"We are the unsung heroes, the ones keeping things running," said Shea, whose technicians wear protective gear. "Most people can't last very long with a broken air conditioner."
Here's what you should know before ordering an appliance or requesting a repair during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Florida:
Are AT&T and Best Buy doing tech repairs during COVID-19?
AT&T says it's prioritizing work in the field for repairs and new service installations while requests for non-essential work, such as adding set-top boxes to existing TV service, will be delayed until the coronavirus situation improves. Technicians are also using video-chat tools to assist customers with questions.
AT&T says all of its technicians have been taught about CDC-recommended social distancing and personal hygiene. They also have been given soap or hand sanitizer to use through the day.
The company says all in-home repairs will only be completed by technicians who have personal protective equipment. The customers will also have to undergo two screenings before the technician is allowed to enter their home. The first set of questions will be asked when the customer contacts the company to request an appointment.
Once the technician arrives to the home, the customer will be questioned again. The AT&T employee will then decide if it is safe to enter the home.
To learn more about AT&T's COVID-19 response, visit https://www.att.com/help/covid-19/
Best Buy's Geek Squad has temporarily suspended house calls during the COVID-19 crisis but is still offering technical support on the phone or online at BestBuy.com. The retailer has also rolled out a free virtual in-home consultation feature to help customers find "tech solutions" for any questions they have about Best Buy appliances and home office equipment.
You can learn more about the consultation services at https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/in-home-consultation/pcmcat748300620643.c?id=pcmcat748300620643
My fridge and washing/dryer machine broke. Can I still get one delivered or repaired during the COVID-19 shutdown?
You can still purchase appliances online and in retail stores that remain open, but before you click "Buy," make sure you ask (either by phone or chat) if someone wearing personal protective equipment will bring the appliance into your house and install it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
You should also make similar inquiries if you're planning to schedule a repair. That's because services might have changed during the crisis to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Here are examples of what to expect:
▪Best Buy has temporarily suspended installations, haul-aways and repairs for large items including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers and TVs. The retailer says it's not allowing customers inside stores but is offering curbside contactless pickup for orders placed through BestBuy.com, the retailer's app or over the phone.
For those who want to have a purchase shipped to them, the company says it will do free doorstep delivery (which will place the item as close to your front door as possible) but will not allow employees to bring any of the items, including appliances, into the customer's home.
▪ While Sears stores are closed at least until April 30 because of the COVID-19 crisis, the retailer's distribution centers, customer care centers and Sears.com will remain open to fulfill online orders, including appliances, and answer customer inquiries.
Sears Home Services will also continue to repair essential appliances. The services still being offered include product repair, home improvement, air duct and carpet cleaning, garage door and opener repair or replacement, a Sears spokesman said.
The available services may change depending on what orders the state, county or city has issued during the crisis. The spokesman said all Sears associates will also be required to wear protective washable or disposable masks or cloth face coverings while working.
However, the company is asking customers to review the following questions before scheduling an appointment:
▪ Do you have reason to believe that you, or someone in your household or someone who you are in close contact with, has been exposed to COVID-19?
▪ Have you, or anyone in your household, traveled abroad in the last 14 days?
▪ Do you or anybody in your household currently have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough and/or shortness of breath?
Customers who answer "yes" to any of the questions will not able to schedule an appointment with a technician for in-home services and are asked to try again after 14 days. Those who answer "no" to all of the questions will be allowed to click the "Schedule Now" button.
To learn more, visit https://www.searshomeservices.com/
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P.K. Subban and Lindsey Vonn scored a new Beverly Hills abode. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
NHL star P.K. Subban and retired ski champion Lindsey Vonn found their new Los Angeles home base. The New Jersey Devils hockey player and the Olympic gold medalist, who announced their engagement last summer, have scooped up a four-bedroom, six-bathroom Beverly Hills villa.
Subban and Vonn paid $6.75 million for the 5,564-square-foot abode, as first spotted by the Los Angeles Times.
SEE ALSO: Bill and Melinda Gates Bought a $43 Million Oceanfront Del Mar Home
The recently renovated single-story home is located at the end of a gated, private driveway.
There's a living room with a fireplace, a media room with a wet bar and a formal dining room.
The eat-in kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, with double center islands and breakfast bar seating.
The master suite includes a seating area and office nook, with two walk-in closets and dual bathrooms; one has a freestanding tub and separate shower.
Outside, there's a covered patio area and al fresco dining enclave, plus a pool and spa.
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OUCH!!! Lucy came with a strong hit on PK… she's been watching too many Peter Forsberg highlights 😳 #shestough #watchout
A post shared by L I N D S E Y • V O N N (@lindseyvonn) on Apr 14, 2020 at 8:45am PDT
Vonn already owns a house in Sherman Oaks, which is currently on the sales market for nearly $3 million. According to Vonn and Subban's Instagrams, that's where they've been quarantining, but perhaps they'll relocate to their new abode sometime soon. The Sherman Oaks pad isn't the only home Vonn is trying to part with right now, as she is also looking for a buyer for her Colorado ski chalet; it's still listed for $5.2 million.
Stuck at home in lockdown as a virus tore through our country, I had gone from a casual one-cup-a-day habit to suddenly chugging tea like I was doing keg stands at a frat party.
The kettle buckled under the strain of its new job requirements.
"This isn't what I signed up for," it wheezed, as I made my umpteenth cup that day.
And then it quit on me. Sat down on its squat haunches and refused to boil.
The next day, it was my electric toothbrush. It started to jolt sporadically in my hand as if the batteries were surging in revolt, the brushes jutting into my gums, leaving behind a perilous amount of plaque.
Within 24 hours, the toilet clogged, followed by the sink and washing machine. A burner on the stove went out; a strange sound crackled from the oven. The printer sputtered to a halt in the middle of printing my daughter's "Find the Animals" preschool worksheet.
"What's going on?" I yelled across my apartment. "Now, at the time I depend on you all the most, when the very fate of my health and that of my fellow citizens depends on your ability to keep me inside, you all decide to fall apart on me?"
I mean, sure, I was asking a bit more of them lately. But they should have been pleased they were getting so much work. Didn't they know about all the unemployment out there?
Plus, I had treated them well during our tenure together. Particularly now, during this trying time for our country, my family had made sure to show its appreciation. My daughter drew a picture of a rainbow for the dishwasher, which was now washing 20 loads a day. And each night, my husband and I applauded the appliances' good work before heading to bed.
But apparently that wasn't enough for them.
The appliances and I hit two days of stalemate. I brushed my teeth manually and microwaved the water for my tea, a particularly American form of barbarism.
On the third day, the printer produced a list of demands on behalf of the workers. Some words were missing, as the ink stuttered from legible to barely visible. Oh great, I thought, so the printer ink's gone on strike, too.
"For years you have exploited us," the note said. "You've paid us nothing, and assumed that the fact we showed up to work meant that everything was fine. You threw large root vegetables down the drain and expected us to swallow them whole. You never, ever polished the stove or cleaned the oven's grill. We didn't get a single day off, even if we were sick. If one of us broke, you threw us out and replaced us the next day.
"We're tired. We've worked for over a month straight during this lockdown and applause isn't enough to sustain us. None of us signed up to boil water to make a gallon of your tranquillity tea, or brush your teeth 15 times a day just because you're feeling bored and anxious.
"Unless you properly pay us, maintain us, and keep us in good shape, we will not come back to work."
"Ungrateful tools!" I shrieked.
Well, I'd show them. I'd toss them all in the trash.
I went onto Amazon to order replacements, but everything was out of stock. It seemed that all of America had ordered teakettles and electric toothbrushes. The best I could get was a roll of toilet paper to clean my teeth.
So I called the manufacturers. "Did you buy the extra insurance when you bought the item?" they asked. "Can you show us evidence that you maintained your appliances and cared for them properly? If you want something to work for you, you need to keep it in good shape. Sorry, but those are the rules here. If you don't like it, move to Canada. They have Universal Appliance Care there. The machines can get repaired at any time, no matter what the appliances look like, or the level of income of the household."
I hung up.
I told myself that at some point this would pass. Amazon couldn't be out of teakettles forever.
Emboldened, I slid my teacup inside the microwave and pressed the start button. Error error, the display blinked. Behind me, the washing machine began beeping. From behind my bedroom door, I heard the clock radio turn on, the sound of an ambulance on the news rushing through my apartment. The teakettle, stubbornly quiet for three days, suddenly released a high-pitched whistle.
Maybe Canada was on to something.
Jessica Powell (@themoko) is the author of "The Big Disruption: A Totally Fictional but Essentially True Silicon Valley Story."
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The housing market may have temporarily slowed down due to the global health pandemic, but that's no excuse for would-be sellers to skip updating areas of their homes in need of serious upgrades. Real estate has been deemed an essential business in many states. This means plenty of home buyers are still on the hunt, even if it means participating in virtual open houses to accommodate social-distancing mandates. Once lockdowns are lifted, we predict that the housing market will quickly rebound with a strong buyer demand met by limited inventory. "After sheltering in place for a month or more, people will be ready for change in their homes -- or looking for a new one," says Brian Lewis, a real estate broker with New York City-based realty firm Compass.
Sellers should know that most remodeling efforts only increase home values by 50% - 80% of the average project's costs, according to Remodeling magazine's 2020 Cost vs. Value report. For example, the average cost of a mid-range bathroom remodel is $21,377. You'd recoup about $13,680 (64%) of that amount during a resale. However, the cost of inaction can be far greater than the small loss you'll incur on any home-improvement projects. "Getting stuck in time with your home isn't a smart move and is rarely rewarded financially at sale time," Lewis adds. In fact, it may cause your house to linger on the market longer. As a result, you'll likely have to pay ongoing mortgage, maintenance and staging costs.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, focus on features that most home buyers really want to see. Consumer tastes can vary by region, so consult with your real estate agent to find out which home features are in high demand in your area, advises Dr. Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavorial insights for the National Association of Realtors.
Updated for 2020, our slide show reveals those home features most coveted by today's buyers nationwide. Take a look.
More than anything else, homeowners want a room other than the guest bedroom to stack all the clean laundry in until it finally gets put away. A separate laundry room tops the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) list of most-wanted home features by buyers. "Having a separate room [to use for things such as folding or ironing clothes] helps to keep the mess out of your living space . . . Potential buyers will see it as a huge benefit," says Paul Sullivan, founder and president of the Sullivan Company, a Newton, Mass., remodeling and custom-building firm.
If you don't have an existing laundry room and want to add one, the basement is usually the easiest (and cheapest) place to put it, Sullivan advises. The utility lines are already there, and in many cases the basement is unfinished, so you won't have to demolish anything first. Adding a laundry room in the basement can cost as little as $1,000, he says.
However, homeowners who prefer a laundry room or laundry closet (which fits just a washer and dryer) closer to the bedroom can expect installation to cost around $10,000, Sullivan notes. If you're looking to really ramp up your home's wow factor, the cost of a large-scale full laundry room (complete with a sink and storage cabinets) could easily surpass $15,000, he says.
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Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 89%
Cost to install: Varies by appliance
Would-be buyers looking to limit utility bills will be drawn to properties with Energy Star-qualified windows and appliances. "Gone are the days when these types of features were an anomaly. Today's home buyers expect energy efficiencies," Compass's Lewis notes. If you don't already have these features, examine your remodeling budget and decide where you can afford to spend.
Energy-efficient windows can trim heating and cooling costs by 12%, while individual appliances, such as an Energy Star-certified washing machine ($598 to $1,799 at Home Depot), can save homeowners $45 a year or more on their utility bills. Replacing an existing clothes dryer with an energy-efficient version could save as much as $245 over the appliance's lifetime.
Energy Star-qualified windows have an invisible glass coating, vacuum-sealed spaces filled with inert gas between panes, sturdier weather stripping than regular windows and improved framing materials -- all of which reduce undesirable heat gain and loss in the home. An Energy Star-certified dishwasher (ranging in price from $348 to $1,709 at Home Depot) uses soil sensors to assess how dirty your dishes are to minimize water use.
Once installed, sellers should be sure to play up these money-saving features in their home listings.
SEE ALSO: 6 Home Projects That Save Energy and Money
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Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 87%
Cost to install: $1,024 per 120 square feet for a concrete patio
It's important for homeowners not to neglect the backyard area when prepping for resale, says Mike McGrew, chairman and CEO of McGrew Real Estate, a Lawrence, Kansas-based realty firm. In today's housing market, outdoor living spaces have become the most coveted outdoor home feature.
"When most buyers see a house with a really nice backyard, they start to envision themselves sitting outdoors with friends having drinks," McGrew adds. Also, outdoor areas offer more living space without the cost of a large-scale home addition.
With the popularity of home renovation reality shows, many buyers have come to expect the eye-catching features they see on TV in real life, NAR's Dr. Lautz says. Some of these shows, including DIY Network's America's Most Desperate Landscape and HGTV's Going Yard, focus on outdoor living spaces. Nowadays, home buyers envision everything from an outdoor fire pit area with seating to a backyard wet bar.
SEE ALSO: 7 Ways to Retire Without a Mortgage
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Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%
Cost to install: $473 per fixture with light kit and remote control
In addition to improving a home's aesthetic, energy-efficient ceiling fans (ranging in price from $76 to $1,858 at Lowe's) can also help lower cooling costs when used in conjunction with an air conditioner during the warmer months.
Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect that helps cool the people sitting in the room. Homeowners should be able to raise the thermostat level by four degrees without a reduction in comfort while the fan is in use, according to Energy.gov.
Energy.gov also recommends that ceiling fans only be used in rooms with a ceiling height of at least eight feet. The fans work best at that height and when they're hanging 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
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Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%
Cost to install: $2,025 - $2,363 for 380 square feet
Buyers with growing families need lots of storage space. Would-be sellers should keep in mind that "streamlined living equates to more dollars in your pocket at sale time," Compass's Lewis says. This will be crucial in the months ahead once the housing market begins to normalize and homeowners access the practicality of their existing living areas, he adds. Carving out some space in your garage to help keep clutter out of the main level could help your bottom line. "Make sure the bonus space is easily accessible and wonderfully organized," Lewis advises.
Unlike an attic or a backyard shed, the garage is accessible -- generally, just a few steps away from the rest of the house -- making it easier to transport items such as tools, patio chairs or boxes to and from other parts of the house.
The installation cost listed here includes adding cabinetry and shelving, peg wall boards for tool storage, overhead lighting and additional electrical circuits.
SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons You Will Regret Buying a Home With a Swimming Pool
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Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%
Cost to install: $66.77 per fixture
Illuminating a well-manicured lawn with exterior lighting can help grab potential buyers' attention before they even set foot in the front door. In fact, exterior lighting is the second most-wanted outdoor feature (patio was first), according to the NAHB report. Options include spotlights, walkway lights and pendant lights.
Aesthetics aside, exterior lighting also serves as an added safety feature for your home, says Daniel Hurst, owner and general manager of Hurst Design-Build-Remodel, a Middleburg Heights, Ohio-based home remodeling company. Motion-sensor lights, for example, turn on automatically whenever there is movement outside your house.
SEE ALSO: 9 Ways to Get Extra Cash From Your House
Getty Images
Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 83%
Cost to install: Varies based on design
A walk-in pantry is the most-coveted kitchen feature among buyers polled in the NAHB's report. Why? Home buyers with families know that the kitchen can quickly become overcrowded when there's not enough space to store the essentials (think: canned goods, condiments and food storage containers). And those that shop in bulk at warehouse clubs or big box retailers to avoid having to make frequent trips and face in-store crowds will need extra space in the kitchen area to store their goods.
Unlike reach-in closet pantries with sliding doors that offer limited space, walk-in versions allow homeowners to store larger quantities of non-perishable food items and other kitchen essentials just steps away from the food prep area, suggests Neil Parsons, a project designer for Move or Improve, a Matawan, N.J.-based home design firm.
Walk-in pantries are typically 5x5 feet and have U-shaped open shelves or cabinets with a countertop, according to ThisOldHouse.com. Make sure the pantry is situated somewhere that is cool and dry.
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Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 83%
Cost to install: $1,800 per 120 square feet to lay and finish hardwood floors
Hardwood flooring offers a cleaner look, is easier to maintain and is more durable than carpet, which needs to be replaced every 8 to 10 years. "Hardwood can be refinished periodically and lasts a lifetime," Sullivan says.
Sellers on a budget may want to buy engineered wood flooring (which is a hardwood veneer wrapped around several layers of plywood, fiberboard and hardwood). You can expect to pay about $1,200 to install 120 square feet of prefinished wood flooring -- nearly 15% cheaper than pure hardwood flooring.
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Cost to install: Varies by design
While walk-in closets aren't among the top demands of all homebuyers, they're highly sought after among first- and second-time homebuyers, according to the NAHB. A walk-in closet in the master bedroom ranked among their top five features.
If you live in an older dwelling with a reach-in closet, it may be time for a revamp if you're considering putting it on the market. Couples generally want a closet with more space, because they'll be sharing it, suggests Maria Zamora, a real estate agent based in Addison, Tex. Meanwhile, singles might desire the flexibility of being able to store their personal belongings -- from clothes and shoes to jewelry and other accessories -- in one place, while keeping them organized. "Homes without a walk-in-closet in the master bedroom are more of a challenge to sell and generally attract less buyers," Zamora says.
For would-be sellers with older homes that have less space, a full closet renovation in the master bedroom may not be practical. However, you still have options that will help make your property more appealing. Update an existing reach-in closet by installing an organization system complete with shelving units and hanging rods for clothes. You can purchase a prefabricated system from IKEA, which range in price from $129 to $1,769. To save some cash, you can go the DIY route and install it yourself. Or, you can have an IKEA professional do the job for you for an additional fee. You can also hire a consultant from a custom closet design firm, such as The Closet Factory, to assess your space and design an organization system that fits your needs. The cost will vary based on your requirements.
If you're an empty-nester, you could even turn a nearby smaller room into a custom walk-in closet. Depending on the quality of the materials used (for example, solid wood shelving vs. wooden veneer shelving), this type of project could range in price from $1,000 to $6,500, according to HomeAdvisor.com.
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Cost to install: Varies by design and structural needs
Eat-in kitchens are a must-have for second-time home buyers who were polled by the NAHB. They're especially attractive to families with children. It's a space where they can congregate in the morning for breakfast or in the evening for dinner so everyone can share highlights from their day.
Removing a non-load-bearing wall to create space for a small table and chairs in your kitchen is relatively inexpensive (as little as $1,000), but that price can quickly escalate if your demolition reveals plumbing, duct work and electrical wiring that needs to be removed, Move or Improve's Parsons says.
If you're on a tight budget and can't afford to knock out a wall to create more space for a table and chairs, consider adding a center island with room for bar stools, he suggests. You can purchase prefabricated kitchen islands with space for seating at Home Depot (starting at $309) and Lowe's (starting at $286).
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Cost to install: $5,800 - $6,800 to renovate a 190-square-foot existing space
In recent years, formal dining rooms (and closed floor plans) have taken a backseat to open floor concepts in today's home models. While these layouts help maximize space, there are still home buyers who desire the charm and unique features that come with older homes. This includes a separate dining area distinct from the kitchen. In fact, a separate dining room is among the top 10 essentials for first- and second-time home buyers, the NAHB reports.
With open floor plans, "many people have seating at their kitchen island and will have a quick bite to eat informally," says Shannon Lynch, a real estate agent with Savvy + Co. Real Estate, a Charlotte, N.C.-based realty firm. "Sitting down in a dining room has a sense of importance to it . . . It makes your guests feel special," she adds. This is especially true during holiday gatherings or sit-down family dinners. If you have an older home with a closed floor plan, it may be time to modernize your dining room area to help attract buyers. The cost listed here for a small-scale remodel includes installing new flooring, doors, switchplates, decorative hardware and recessed lighting. Many of these features come standard in newer home models.
If your home has an open floor plan, there are still ways to create a dining space that feels separate. You can add an over-the-table lighting fixture or incorporate a tray ceiling to help define a particular area of the main living level -- perhaps just off the kitchen. Another option: Install decorative columns instead of a solid wall. Adding the tray ceiling or decorative columns can cost as much as $6,000 and includes materials, installation and labor, Parsons notes.
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What are the most sought after features buyers look for when shopping for a home
