Two in five (40%) homeowners would prioritise space for a home office if they were searching for a new home, a survey from the Home Builders Federation has found.
Some 55% of people now value their home space more than ever due to the lockdown.
Almost a quarter of people (22%) aged 25-34 revealed that whilst being in lockdown their interest in interior design increased.
Alex Rose, director of new homes, Zoopla added: “Buyer expectations have shifted since the coronavirus lockdown.
“Home offices have spiked in popularity as more people plan to work from home more frequently, while gardens and proximity to outdoor space have also become a prerequisite for many buyers.”
Zoopla research shows that first-time buyer demand is now outpacing pre-lockdown levels, with an 87% revival after an initial fall of 68% in the first two weeks of lockdown.
Rose added: “First-time buyers are also driving demand, with many keen to make the most of Help to Buy, as loan-to-value mortgage products are harder to access.
“Despite the pressures of social distancing, demand from home hunters has been served by best-in-class technology, CGIs and virtual viewings made available by house builders.
“Buyers have also been able to visit empty show properties, making social distancing easier to navigate, enabling new homes purchases to move forward.”
