What People Look for When Searching for a New Home

New research by property specialists Bramleys has found that homebuyers would prioritise buying a home with superfast broadband over being close to a good school.

With the housing market continuing to benefit from the recent stamp duty holiday and the introduction of the government backed 95 per cent LTV mortgages, residential property specialists Bramleys has looked into the top priorities of homebuyers when looking for a first or new home, and how the pandemic has affected house searches.

Unsurprisingly, a garden and parking space were the biggest priorities for buyers, with 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, claiming it was an essential part of a property search. The survey of 3,000 UK adults found a third (32 per cent) of Brits would prefer a home in a rural location, compared to just 10 per cent who would prioritise homes in a city centre location.

Superfast broadband was an essential feature of a new home for a quarter (24 per cent) of Brits, twice as many as would prefer a home near a good school (12 per cent) or a home that was within a close community with friendly neighbours (12 per cent).

With a rise in home working as a result of the pandemic, many office workers have had to create temporary work stations in spare rooms and on dining tables. However, it seems that having a more permanent home office space is way down the list of priorities, with just one in 16 adults claiming it would be a necessity for a new home. Essentials that came ahead of a home office is a property close to budget supermarkets (15 per cent) and proximity to a local pub (8 per cent).

The top 20 priorities for homebuyers were:

  1. Garden (61 per cent)
  2. Parking space (40 per cent)
  3. Rural location (32 per cent)
  4. Good public transport availability (32 per cent)
  5. Close to family (29 per cent)
  6. Superfast broadband available (24 per cent)
  7. Close proximity to budget supermarkets (15 per cent)
  8. Close to workplace (14 per cent)
  9. Close to friends (13 per cent)
  10. Friendly neighbours/ close community (12 per cent)
  11. Close proximity to good schools (12 per cent)
  12. Already completely refurbished (11 per cent)
  13. City centre location (10 per cent)
  14. Separate garage (9 per cent)
  15. Close proximity to a public park (9 per cent)
  16. Close proximity to luxury supermarket (8 per cent)
  17. Close proximity to a local pub (8 per cent)
  18. Good selection of takeaways (6 per cent)
  19. Home office space (6 per cent)
  20. New build property (5 per cent)

Paul Keighley, residential partner at Bramleys, said: “The pandemic and a year of lockdown has meant that priorities have changed for homebuyers. With more of us than ever embracing the great outdoors, and the relaxation of rules to allow gatherings in private gardens, it is no surprise that a garden topped the poll for the most popular feature for a new home, as well as homes in more rural areas.

“Before you even begin your home search, we would recommend creating your own list of ‘non-negotiables’ for your new home – this will help you narrow down your property search and give you a better indication of the best areas for you.”