Our new homes team recently conducted a survey to understand the important factors in the purchasing decision. We caught up with our New Homes Manager, Ella Pearson, to explore the findings of the survey and find out how having access to these will help her and the developers we work with in the future.
Finding a dream home is an exciting journey for any purchaser and with the wide selection of new properties on the market, they have an excellent opportunity to explore various avenues and make a confident decision. Many factors come into play in the decision over where to buy and having a ‘wish list’ means it is easy for them to rule out those areas and types of housing that they are not interested in.
80% of buyers want a smaller house in a dream location
Our survey confirmed that the mantra ‘location, location, location’ has never been truer. Interestingly, respondents said that they were willing to sacrifice the size of their property to get a prime location. Most choose a new home for its easy access to transport, schools and local amenities.
Buyers carry out detailed research on an area before deciding on their dream home. Leading Ofsted school ratings are a key driver for those with school-age children, but other local amenities including gyms, shops, bars, and restaurants are on people’s ‘hit’ list.
64% of buyers want a home offering open-plan living
Gone are the days of compartmentalised rooms and closed-off spaces. Today's homebuyers are looking for open floor plans that allow for better flow and communication between rooms. An open floor plan makes it easier to entertain guests and keep an eye on children and sits high on the agenda with buyers continuing to seek multi-purpose space which can be multifunctional.
87% want bigger bedrooms and fewer bathrooms
Nowadays purchasers are looking for larger bedrooms to accommodate walk-in wardrobes to house their collections of clothes and shoes, often area for a dressing table or a seating area appears on the ‘must have’ list too. The demand for an ensuite bathroom seems to have reduced and those looking for a new home would rather opt for larger bedroom space and a luxurious, high specification main bathroom to pamper themselves in.
64% wanted a property in a prime position with a large garden
Outdoor living spaces are more important than ever, homebuyers are looking for properties that offer a private outdoor patio. This is a place to relax, entertain guests, and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
36% want an eco-home with lower energy bills
Homebuyers are increasingly concerned with energy efficiency and sustainability so they're looking for properties that offer energy-efficient appliances, windows, and insulation, as well as other sustainable features like solar panels. These features can not only help reduce energy bills but also help reduce a property's carbon footprint.
25% are looking for a new home with a garage
This figure is much lower than it would have been several years ago. People don’t park their cars in garages anymore and in reality, modern cars don’t fit anyway! Garages tend to take on the role of additional storage space so often a large shed or a reasonable amount of internal storage space will suffice in most cases.
69% would prefer a smaller house finished to an exceptionally high standard
People just don’t settle for second best anymore – purchasers like knowing that everything is brand new and untouched. New build homes are built to much higher specifications than older properties. With the latest heating systems, insulation, and double glazing, your home is built using top-notch new technology and materials. Bathrooms and kitchens are fitted with high-spec, modern appliances and sanitaryware.
Ella concluded: “The survey results highlight that buyers aren’t just looking for a property anymore, there is a clear focus on lifestyle too with location and amenities being at the top of most buyers’ checklists along with social spaces for entertaining”.
To find out more about our new homes consultancy services click here.
