Buying into a good neighborhood is the best way to ensure that a home is likely to retain its value. But besides location, there are the other factors that make a home more likely to be easy to sell in the future.

Curb appeal

• Look for a home with curb appeal; one that’s well kept with large, healthy mature trees. Not only do REALTORS® say that curb appeal can increase a home’s value by up to 10 percent, it’s key to selling a house. After all, it’s what gets buyers past your front door.
• On the flipside, stay away from elaborate landscaping or pools (unless you love gardening or swimming). They can deter some people from buying a home because they require maintenance.
• A garage is also a definite plus, especially when most houses on the street have one. Rule of thumb: the bigger, the better.

Great interior

• Unless you’re willing to renovate and move walls, choose a home with a natural-flowing floor plan instead of one that’s awkward and poorly designed. Even the best decorating in the world won’t improve a bad floor plan. While layout preferences vary from region to region, most buyers like a large separation between the master bedroom and secondary bedrooms; a central area where living, family dining and kitchen areas flow together; and a main or second-floor family room.
• According to most REALTORS®, three-bedroom homes are the best sellers because they appeal to the widest market segment. Getting four or more bedrooms has obvious appeal to larger families but doesn’t necessarily help a home sell faster.
• Unless you’re buying an older, smaller home, look for one with a spacious master bedroom. Buyers also look for ample storage and closet space.
• Contemporary kitchens and updated bathrooms -- especially master bath suites -- will usually have the greatest positive effect on resale value. New appliances are also a big draw.
• Buyers are attracted to bright, cheery spaces so look for a home with large windows, good sun exposure, garden walkouts and, in newer homes, high or vaulted ceilings.

Things to avoid

• Most buyers don’t want a fix-upper or a home with a leaky basement or roof, so keep your distance from needy properties unless you are very handy or estimate the cost of the repairs is going to be so low that you will still be able to make your money back when you sell in the future.
• Be wary of wiring and plumbing systems that don’t work properly or meet current standards. (A home inspection will tell you of these conditions.) Besides risking your safety, you may have to sink a small fortune into the home to avoid scaring potential buyers away.
• Many buyers prefer buying homes that already have forced air heating (versus radiators), central air conditioning and central vacuum as they can be inconvenient and costly to add.