What is a buyer looking for when searching for a property?
Here's some common property features that appeal to buyers. Does your property appeal to buyers?
The number one thing buyers look for, and rightly so is location. Almost anything can be changed in a property, but you can't move it to a different area. Many buyers are moving to be nearer family, schools or their place of work.
Here are the top 10 things that a buyer wants when looking for a new property.
- Downstairs WC - this may surprise you, but a busy household will want a downstairs WC if possible. The smallest and arguably least exciting room in the house is often highly coveted!
- Storage - we live in a consumer society. We seem to be buying more and more STUFF! A whole movement is emerging for minimalism because we are drowning in things. But minimalism is quite extreme and impractical for most families. So the next best thing is plenty of storage. Built-in units, wardrobes, cupboards and shelving all make for a tidy and organised home.
- Separate living spaces - either a room for the kids, tv and playroom and a separate 'adults' room for peace and tranquillity or a room that can be used as a home office. Maybe you have taken a wall down at some point in your property to open up the space. You don't have to go building walls again, but perhaps arrange the furniture in a way that shows that separation with a room divider? And make sure it is evident on the particulars that these rooms can be separated if necessary.
- Security - having a fully-fledged CCTV system installed is probably a little overkill. Still, with the introduction of smart doorbells and relatively cheap security alarms, it is not too difficult to add security to your home these days, which can be very attractive to a new buyer.
- Underfloor heating - there is possibly nothing better than coming home on a cold day, slipping your shoes off at the door and stepping your cold toes onto a warm floor! Underfloor heating can be a huge selling feature, and it can be added relatively easily. You can simply add underfloor heating to individual areas without massive upheaval using electric underfloor mats rather than a 'wet' pipe system. These systems are electric, so you can do one room only instead of having a 'central' system.
- Kitchen Island - this is not always possible, but if you have a large kitchen diner, you may be able to add a central island. With bar stools on one side and the 'chef' on the other, preparing a meal is no longer a solitary experience. Friends can enjoy a glass of wine, and a chat with the host whilst they are putting the final touches to the meal.
- Bi-fold doors - connect your living space with your garden and bring the outside in. On a hot summer's day, you can open up the entire door and allow full access to the outside space. If you have patio doors or French doors, consider upgrading to bi-fold so that you can really open the home up and enjoy the gardens.
- Outdoor living - keen gardeners are a minority in the busy modern world so, low maintenance lawns and shrubs are what most buyers want. They are looking for easy maintenance that won't take up their free time.
- Alfresco dining - as well as a simple yet perfectly manicured lawn, buyers want a seating area. Ideally, somewhere with ambient lighting and a heating option, either patio heaters or chimnea/fire pits, so those summer days can comfortably stretch into the evenings without everyone getting chilly when the sun sets. This could be a patio, pergola, gazebo or summerhouse. Many interior designers are setting these spaces up to look like living rooms, complete with a rug on the floor and cushions to ensure maximum comfort and style.
- Technology - superfast broadband, smart tv, mood lighting, Sonos sound system, Alexa. Innovative technology is a part of our lives now, and having tech and cables fitted in your home could set you apart from the competing properties and increase your chances of a sale.
Of course, it will not be possible to add all of these features to every property, but if your home benefits from any of these points, be sure to include them in the write-up!
It might just sway a buyer into making an offer on your home!