Date Posted: 11/08/21
Covid19 has changed many things in our lives. It has altered our outlook, our expectations, our ambitions and changed the way we live or want to live.
Mark Shearing, MD of Putterills, looks at how property buyers’ interests and demands have changed over the past twelve months as we slowly but surely emerge from lockdown.
Here is an evolving list of property buyers’ aspirations and how they have changed from having to be within walking distance of the station or close to the motorway access or airport.
The usual essentials are still there – right price, enough room and attractive location – but now a secondary list of important requirements has appeared as buyers seek to change their lifestyles in the light of the pandemic.
Here are some of the important features being sought by post-Covid buyers today.
1. Zoom Room
Homebuyers are attracted by a dedicated office space for home working often giving a new lease of life to the neglected spare room, or a new garden office.
2. Homecation Facilities
Not everyone wants a hot tub or a pool, but room for some little luxuries is proving popular.
3. Multigenerational Living
With more millennials and room needed for housing elderly family members, the hunt is on for adaptable properties and those with space to extend.
4. Gourmet Kitchen
During lockdown many people have been glued to MasterChef or the wide selection of cooking programmes available and have used extra time at home to brush up on their cooking skills or even learned from scratch. Now the demand for better-equipped and more spacious kitchens is higher than ever.
Open Plan Kitchen / Dining / Family Rooms are also very popular for families, as that can watch their children play or do their homework whilst preparing the meals and they are also great for entertaining friends and family.
5. A Garden Oasis
Lots of us have discovered gardening during the lockdown, while others want room to play and exercise. More people than ever are seeking good outside space following the strict social distancing rules. (Especially the buyers moving out of London apartments.)
6. The Suburbs are Back in Vogue
Being just outside of the M25 and closer to open countryside, yet offering a little more space, slightly lower prices and easy commutes, many buyers are moving out from London and the bigger towns.
7. The Health Conscious Home
Zoom fitness classes and networked exercise machines mean areas for wellness are a top priority.
8. Space for the Pets
Pet adoptions increased in 2020. Many homebuyers are looking for pet-friendly features. Most are thinking about cats and dogs, but some are thinking about horses.
9. Seating for Eating
Increased cooking expertise and a desire to spend more time with family and friends has meant a stronger focus on larger dining spaces. See point 4.
10. New Homes
A home with the patina of age is important to many, but to others a new start often means a brand new home where a clean slate and customised fittings can help to begin things afresh.
If you are thinking of selling or letting your property and want to take advantage of changing trends and an excess of buyers, please call us now to see how we can help maximise the value and saleability of your home. Putterills, your local trusted property experts.
We sell more, because we do more.
