A shift in home movers’ search priorities

A study by Rightmove reports that homes with more space, especially better home workspace, a garden and easy access to the countryside are more highly sought after by home movers at the moment. See below some of the findings:

 

• As opposed to a studio flat being the most popular property type among renters on Rightmove in January, a two-bedroom house is now the more desirable property type since May. For buyers, the five most popular property types are all houses, whereas previously two and three-bed flats were typically sought after.

• Now more of us are starting to work from home, good internet and a spare room that could be transformed into a home office are higher up on people’s wish lists, with 36% of buyers and 26% of renters searching for this, whilst transport links are becoming less important.

• Searches by buyers for homes with gardens on Rightmove were up 42% in May compared with the same month a year ago. Among rental searches, there was an increase of 84% over the same period.
• Buyers are now looking to move to somewhere with access to greener spaces and in more rural areas, with almost a third of buyers (30%) looking to move to away from the city and into quieter, countryside areas.

 

So, what does this mean for buyers and sellers?

 

Sellers / Landlords

It is time to start showing off the features that house hunters are looking for. There’s plenty that you can do, but some places to start are:

The garden – give your fence a fresh lick of paint, the lawn a mow, trim the hedges back and any patios or decking a sweep You could also clear out your shed and make it into a lovely summer house, which could be a really nice touch.

Spare room – showcasing a spare room as a home office could also make all the difference. Placing some cheap office furniture in a small spare room could transform the way it looks to a prospective buyer searching for a stylish office to work from home in.

All rooms – declutter rooms to help them look as open as possible, with buyers looking for bigger spaces, you want to maximise how the room is presented to make it look as large and inviting as possible. The buyer has to imagine themselves being able to make this space their own and clutter can impede this while also making the room feel small.

Our large network of offices spread across leafy Surrey have recently been inundated with London based buyers seeking a new lifestyle defined by invigorating fresh air, easy access to the countryside and the splendour that the home counties have to offer.

If you’re looking to sell then there is a high demand for properties around the Surrey area. Why not arrange one of our virtual or physical valuations to get the ball rolling.

 

Buyers

Thinking our making a move of your own? If you, like many others, have similar aspirations for your house, our large network of offices spread across leafy Surrey has an eclectic range of properties that offer space, great home offices, countryside access and stunning landscaped gardens.

You can explore our properties here and our friendly sales agents will be sure to find a property that matches your own search priorities and the new lifestyle you are looking for.

As always it’s important if you’re looking to buy or sell a property, that you get all the advice you need and feel comfortable before taking the next steps. If you need any more information or are ready to begin taking the plunge and want some guidance on where to start, get in touch with your local Seymours today. https://wp.seymours-estates.co.ukoffices