Household Bills
Looking to sell your home? These are the features that buyers want
Most people say their dream home needs a new modern kitchen and built-in wardrobes but high maintenance features are out.
If you are looking to sell your home, it’s worth knowing what buyers are looking for, and according to a new research from Halifax, the key areas are the kitchen and bedrooms.
The dream home for about one-third of respondents in the survey of more than 4,600 Britons was a big, modern, detached property with a new kitchen and built-in wardrobes. But nearly a quarter (24%) said they preferred a period property with big windows and tall ceilings.
One-third said a garden shed or outbuildings were important features.
When it comes to gardens, natural was the preferred way to go: Nearly half (46%) of respondents said grass was better than artificial turf or paving. More than a quarter (26%) said that if a house they had rejected turned out to have a gorgeous garden, it could change their mind about putting in an offer.
Watch out for high maintenance features
High-maintenance features were a turn-off for some. More than a quarter (26%) said they would not want a swimming pool and nearly a third (30%) would reject ugly wallpaper.
Almost half of homeowners (46%) surveyed said they were thinking about making home improvements in the next few years.
‘Good wi-fi and energy efficiency are must-haves’
Kim Kinnaird, Halifax mortgages director, said: “In today’s climate, it’s possible people may stay in their current home for longer, putting home improvements higher up the agenda, including adding long-term value to future-proof their property.
“Our research shows that top of people’s home wish lists are good wi-fi and energy efficiency. However, some people are looking for something a little different – with two-fifths citing a utility room as a must-have while almost a tenth see a hot water tap as essential.”
