Central heating top consideration for UK buyers, but broadband becoming more important
Efficient central heating systems, double glazing, and secure doors and windows top UK home buyers’ lists of must haves, according to new research.
House hunters also opt for good broadband connection over friendly neighbours, gardens rather than garages, and showers as opposed to baths, says the research from home insurance firm Gocompare.
Broadband is now seen by many as the fourth utility alongside gas, electricity and water with more than half say that a good broadband connection is now an essential.
Some 73% want an efficient central heating system, followed closely by 72% wanting double glazing and 71% secure doors and windows. Only 9% of those surveyed said that if they were looking to buy a house, they would consider period features to be essential.
Energy efficiency was a key theme running through the survey across all the regions. As well as an effective central heating system and double glazing, the property essentials list includes 54% wanting a good energy efficiency rating and 48% wanting cavity wall insulation.
Access to the internet was ranked highly, with 54% considering a good broadband connection more important than local shops and amenities at 52% or friendly neighbours at 48%.
Welsh residents were particularly concerned about access to a good broadband connection, with 65% saying it was a necessity. Londoners rated local shops and amenities the highest, with 60% saying that they were essential criteria in looking for a new home.
A strong mobile phone signal also made the top 20 list with 34% citing it as important and this was rated more highly by Londoners with 43% wanting a good signal.
Only a fifth of those surveyed said access to good local schools was an essential factor in buying a new home. Schools mattered most to people living in the Yorkshire and the Humber region, with a quarter of respondents considering them a priority.
The survey also suggests that people favour green spaces over tarmac, with 68% considering a garden an essential, 54% off road parking and 41% a garage. When it comes to bathroom preferences, showers topped the list with 61% of respondents considering a shower a must in a new home compared with 53% who deemed a bath to be an essential item. Some 29% said that an en-suite bathroom was a must have room.
‘Our research suggests that today’s potential home buyers are putting practical concerns ahead of aesthetics by looking for properties which are cosy, energy efficient and secure, rather than full of character. With ever increasing gas and electricity prices, fuel and financial economy are a concern for many households, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that well insulated homes and efficient central heating systems are key priorities for buyers,’ said Ben Wilson, from Gocompare.
‘The important role technology plays in our everyday lives, from interaction on social media to online shopping, also shone through the survey with access to a good broadband connection and mobile phone signal making it into the top 20 must have home features. Good internet access is now seen by many as the fourth utility alongside mains gas, electricity and water,’ he added.
