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Space Still A Big Factor For Dream Homes

At Prestige & Village, we know the importance of space. We help buyers and vendors in villages and rural areas, and in many of these locations, the size of the home is a crucial factor in why people fall in love.

With the impact of the pandemic, it is no surprise to see people looking for larger homes, and we also know people are looking for a sense of community.

This is something we have found in speaking with our clients, and it is also something we have seen in many national studies and reports.

Space is absolutely crucial for buyers

As we have found in many studies in the past 18 months, people are looking for detached homes. Buyers want space, and this means this style of house is a priority for many. Some of the key requests made by buyers looking for a new home include:

  • Two living rooms
  • A garage
  • A garden
  • A utility room

For buyers aged between 18 and 34, a home office is the top priority when it comes to an additional room. It is only when you consider the needs of buyers aged 65 or older that conservatories feature. This age group is also looking for a bungalow more than a larger home.

For buyers aged between 18 and 24, a dining room is important, while for buyers aged between 25 and 44, a third bathroom is a top priority.

What supermarket comes out on top?

When asked what supermarket people want close to their home, Tesco nudged past Waitrose by a mere 1%. In the South of England, Waitrose was the clear favourite, while Sainsbury’s came out on top in Yorkshire & the Humber.

Looking at all property listings on Rightmove, Tesco is the supermarket that is mentioned most by estate agents in listings, followed by Waitrose. Waitrose does over-index though when you consider how many more stores Tesco has around Great Britain.

People love a pint

The most important establishment property buyers want close to their home is a pub! The order of vital establishments were as follows:

  1. Pub
  2. Local corner shop
  3. Coffee shop
  4. Local market
  5. Bakeries
  6. Restaurants
  7. Local greengrocers
  8. Local butchers

It is interesting that takeaway venues only appear after all these establishments. It might be that delivery options reduce the need for a takeaway venue on your door, or it could be that the answers were not 100% truthful! In the capital, a local market came out on top.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert comments: “The study paints a fascinating picture of what a ‘dream home’ really means to people. Usually, you might think a dream home is a mansion with swimming pools and other luxuries, but the British sense of thinking practically comes through very clearly with garages, utility rooms and home offices the order of the day. Perhaps it’s the thought that if you have a dream home you want to make sure you’re going to make use of everything. Rather than choosing an outdoor swimming pool only to realise you can only use it a few weeks of the year, you think of a utility room that you know you’ll be using every day.”

Tim Bannister continued by saying; “Earlier this year detached homes hit over half a million pounds nationally for the first time, aided by increased demand for more space. This means that many people looking to move right now are likely to be looking for a smaller home, but some will have their mindset on how they could eventually achieve the four-bed detached home with a garden. Others will be thinking about what living the coastal life in a cottage could be like, and for some that will mean their daily search on Rightmove turns into picking up the keys to their new life a few months down the line.”

At Prestige & Village, we care about our community, and supporting others. We aim to provide you with as much help and assistance as we can. If you have any property or housing questions, please feel free to contact us today.

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