When hunting for a home it’s best to figure out your wants and your needs so that you easily weigh up your options after you’ve viewed a few properties.
Whether it’s a strong internet connection or a bathtub, we all know which features we can’t live without, but what are the must-have features for buyers in the UK?
A new survey from Go Compare has quizzed over 2,000 Britons, in order to determine which features are vital to a prospective buyer.
Keeping warm during the colder months appears to be the main priority for homeowners, as central heating and double glazing take first and second place with 82% and 80% of respondents singling them out as must-have features.
Security is, of course, a huge selling point for any home and in regards to the recent survey, it was no different, as secure doors and windows took third place with 74% adding it to their ‘must have’ list.
With reports earlier this year finding that almost half of buyers wouldn’t even consider a home that didn’t come with a garden, it's no surprise that the fourth most popular must-have feature (69%) was a garden.
Support for all of the gadgets of a modern home is clearly vital, in fifth and sixth place was a good reliable broadband connection and plenty of electrical sockets.
What may be surprising or just a sign of the times was that a dining room was only considered a deal breaker by 40% respondents, taking 18th place in the top 20.
Although the majority of us carry a smartphone, landlines appear to still be in regular use, as 39% of survey participants stated they wouldn’t buy a house without one.
Spokesman for Go Compare – Ben Wilson – discusses the results of the survey, stating; “Buying a home is the biggest financial commitment most people will make. So, before viewing properties it is helpful to have an idea of the type of area and property you'd like to live in and think about your real must-have priorities.
“Connectivity and energy efficiency are two massive factors for anyone thinking about a move at the moment, while the number of electrical sockets is now more important than access to local amenities. Likewise, a broadband signal fast enough for streaming, and a reliable and a clear mobile phone signal are deemed home essentials today and sellers need to be wise to these new priorities.”
If you are looking to buy or sell and would like advice on property improvements visit www.pygott-crone.com or contact us for some free advice.