JP & Brimelow
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What do buyers want most in 2023?

A recent piece of research suggests that what house buyers in 2023 are prioritising on their tick list are an economical central heating system, off-road parking and a big garden. We say – not so much!

This year we have seen quite some change in terms of the cost of living, but this is actually driving people’s buying decisions less than you think. Yes, people say they want an efficient central heating system, and yes, they say they want the house to be fully insulated, but these are things people can add afterwards – if they fall in love with your home, it won’t matter if the boiler needs an upgrade, or the garden isn’t up to hosting a royal garden party – they’ll want it anyway. 

So, how do you encourage someone to fall in love with your home? Let’s look at the list of top things people are searching for in a great home according to that research.

  1. Off-road parking.

Well, it either is or it isn’t. If they’ve come to view your home knowing there’s no, or limited, off-road parking, they’ve already hurdled that barrier.

  1. A big garden

Size matters – until it doesn’t. Even If your garden isn’t hugely spacious, you can still show it’s potential by setting it up to its best advantage, If you have space, set out a table and chairs, pop a lantern and some bright coloured cushions out, and set some scented plants in pots close by. Make sure any borders are tidy and fully planted, and keep the lawn neatly trimmed. People want to see what kind of life they could live in your home, so show them something they’ll appreciate.

  1. An economical central heating system.

With energy prices soaring, many homeowners have already adapted radiators with adjustable valves. If you haven’t taken this step, investigate the cost. We don’t say it’s a must-do, but it’s a signal your heating bills can be managed. We don’t suggest you invest in a whole new boiler or central heating system. If it’s less efficient than it might be, this is something the new owners will be able to tackle once in place. Do be prepared to answer questions on average heating and electricity bills, however, and be sure to know what your insulation is like – cavity walls and roof space.

  1. A garage

See point 1!

  1. Great insulation

This is always a good thing to have sorted out for your home, and never more so than at the moment. At the moment, grants to help insulate your home are only available to people on certain benefits, so if you don’t qualify you will need to do some research locally to find out how much it might cost you. If you’re house hunting, don’t forget to ask the homeowners of properties you visit what their insulations levels are. Again, we don’t say you have to invest in insulating a home you;re planning to leave, but even just a DIY layer of fresh insulation in the loft space can make a difference.

  1. A home office

If you don’t have a spare room to convert, you can create the sense of a home working space by establishing a corner of your living room or a bedroom with a neat and tidy desk and a decent office chair. With recent research showing that people’s backs and shoulders are really suffering through homeworking while sitting on the sofa, or slouched at the kitchen table, showing you have space to comfortably work from home is a good idea.

  1. An en-suite.

See point 1! While there may currently be no en suite in your home, you may be able to see how one could be created. If this is the case, point this out to viewers, this way they will know it’s an option should they buy. If you do have an en suite – clear the surfaces, make sure it’s all brightly shining and lightly scented and show it to its best advantage.

  1. Open plan living

People love an open plan kitchen/dining/living space. If your home does have this, have a good think about how it might be achieved. Your estate agents will also be really familiar with similar houses in the area, will have seen it done elsewhere and be able to advise on how it might happen. Again, share these ideas with home viewers. If your home is already open plan, be sure to maximise the impact of the space by pulling curtains or blinds right back, clearing all surfaces of clutter and ‘dressing’ the space.

  1. Great local amenities

Location, location, location. We already know this impacts how appealing any home is to buyers – good schools, great pubs, shops in easy reach… You will know exactly how great your neighbourhood is, so be sure to share this, with personal recommendations for the best place to eat, buy, send the kids to school, etc, with everyone who comes to view.

Eddie – Friday 19th May 2023 (Picture used from Crimsworth Avenue, Whalley Range).