Walk-in closets are a great way to add value to your DC home. Consider installing these four high-impact features to really make your closet (and listing) stand out.

Common real estate wisdom states that the housing market cools off in the summer and early fall of an election year. Home buyers want to wait until there’s more certainty about the next administration before making large purchases. So, right now isn’t a great time to sell, but it is the perfect time to invest in upgrades that will increase the desirability of your home when you do put it on the market—perhaps next spring.

You have plenty of remodeling options to choose from, but you’ll want to get a good return on your investment. Any upgrades should add value by either increasing your home’s sale price or its marketability. As we’ve discussed before, closets are a smart place to start.

Today’s Families Want Walk-In Closets

A USA Today poll suggests that 60% of home buyers are willing to pay more for houses with walk-in closets. As builders start to capitalize on this trend, walk-ins are now included in more and more new homes. If you want your own listing to stand out on the market, it’s no longer enough to offer generic shelving and a hanging bar.

Instead, you’ll want to draw attention from prospective buyers by creating a design that works for their needs while appealing to their “wants.” If you’re remodeling your walk-in, try adding features which are highly desirable—but not always common.

Focus on High Impact Closet Features

When everything from layout to colors and hardware can be customized, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by options. Stay on track (and within budget) by focusing on elements that are likely to entice:

• Islands. This walk-in addition is high on people’s list of dream features and could be the tipping point for a buyer who’s on the fence. Not only do islands provide excellent storage options, they also give your closet a useful tabletop surface for laying out clothing when getting ready or putting clean laundry away.

• Ample shoe storage. Shoe collecting is practically a hobby for many people. (The average American woman owns about 20 pairs.) This means shoe storage isn’t just a nice utility feature. It represents a way for shoe lovers to keep their prized possessions stored neatly and displayed proudly. Consider installing adjustable shoe shelves, which can be customized to fit any collection.

• Wardrobe lifts. Wardrobe lifts are another less-common feature that help maximize the utility (and value) of a walk-in closet. Many closets have unused vertical space, but wardrobe lifts allow you to hang clothes higher and still have easy access. This added room is likely to be a huge draw for couples, who often face challenges when squeezing two wardrobes into one space

• Quality details. Your custom features shouldn’t just look pretty. They should be built to last. At Closet America we build our closets from the ground up—literally—with floor standing designs (and hidden wall support for added stability). We also use dovetail joint construction and 3-millimeter edge banding so that you get durability and no chance of peeling over time. Investing in quality like this will allow you to get plenty of use out of your remodeled closet while knowing it will still look great when your house goes on the market.

The Deal Is in the Details

Finalizing a deal when selling a home often comes down to the little things. Home buyers these days—young and old alike—tend to put a lot of emphasis on storage, so offering a well-designed and attractive closet space is a good way to get their attention. Whether a custom closet design allows you to increase your asking price or helps garner more interest in your home, your carefully selected upgrades will add value to the sales process.

If you’re starting to think about selling, election season may not be the best time to jump into the market, but it’s an excellent time to plan ahead. We can offer you a free design consultation and get to work designing a closet that dazzles, so you can be confident your home stands out from the competition.