The coronavirus pandemic led to several lockdowns in the UK and with more people working from home in order to reduce the spread of the virus, we have been spending more time at home than ever before over the past year. As a result, more and more people have decided to give up city living for more spacious homes that are easier to spend a lot of time in, changing what home buyers are looking for during their search for a new property. Today, buyers are putting more emphasis on finding a home that suits the new working from home situation and are less concerned about commute distances. If you are considering selling your home post-pandemic, here are some of the main things that buyers are now looking for after a year of lockdowns.
Commute Distances Are No Longer a Main Priority
For many people, commute distances are no longer a key priority when choosing a new home compared to in the past. With more and more people working from home and remote working set to continue into the future, people are less concerned about getting to work from their property and are placing more emphasis on the quality of life in the area that they choose. Many home buyers are taking full advantage of the new working from home trend by choosing homes in less congested areas and opting for a quieter lifestyle.
Work from Home Space
One major difference in what home buyers are looking for after the COVID-19 pandemic is room for working from home. Around 80% of new home buyers now feel that having a separate study room or an area of the house that can become a designated office is a must, after spending months trying to work on the kitchen table. Working from home is likely to continue after the pandemic with many companies bringing it in as a permanent feature for employees. As a result, many home buyers are even willing to compromise on the size of bedrooms and living area to ensure that there is a suitable place for them to spend their day at work.
Outdoor Space
Throughout the summer of 2020, many people who lived in apartments and smaller houses had to endure a lockdown without an outdoor space to retreat to during the sunny weather. This year, more and more homebuyers are looking to ensure that they don’t end up repeating the situation where they are stuck inside, by choosing a property with a great outdoor space for them and their families. If you are selling your home, taking some time to improve the garden or outdoor space by adding a deck and proving somewhere for buyers to spend time outside will help encourage interest in your property. You may want to consider adding composite deck boards for a low-maintenance and durable option. Ecoscape UK provides the largest range of affordable composite boards in the UK, with a huge range of colours and styles of decking boards that are made from 95% recycled materials.
Eco-Friendliness
With people spending more time than ever before at home, saving money on regular bills and expenses has become a key priority for many new home buyers. Eco-friendly systems and appliances are likely to be even more highly sought-after post-pandemic compared to in the past, with buyers looking for homes that feature a range of energy-saving options that will be kinder to their wallet in the long run. Installing a new energy efficient boiler, solar panels, and other renewable energy options for your home can make all the difference to the interest that you get from potential buyers and the price that your home may fetch.
Large Kitchen Space
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with restaurants and bars closed as a result of the lockdown, people have been spending more time cooking and eating at home than ever before. As a result, those who are looking to purchase a new home after lockdown are looking for somewhere with a good indoor dining space and a practical, modern and spacious kitchen. Spending more time at home means eating more meals together as a family, and many buyers are prioritising having a kitchen that they can easily use to make their favourite meals with a dining space that is large enough for everybody to comfortably enjoy.
Space for Leisure
Along with additional space for working from home, more and more home buyers are looking for a property that provides them with ample space for leisure activities. Over the past year, gyms and fitness centres have been closed down a lot of the time, forcing many people to carry out home workouts in order to stay fit and healthy. As a result, many home buyers would like to purchase a property that has a room that they can use as a home gym or for other leisure activities if they plan to continue working out at home after the pandemic is over.
Ready to Move In
Finally, with the pandemic leading to uncertainty for many people and renovations requiring tradespeople and workers in the home, many home buyers are looking for a property that they can move into and immediately start living in without the need to carry out extensive work. Carrying out repairs, redecorating, and adding features to your property before putting it on the market so that it’s ready for a new buyer to simply move into and start enjoying without having to carry out extensive renovation work may help you to get a quicker sale. Potential buyers who are walking through your home and feeling like there is nothing for them to do once they get the keys may even be willing to pay more for the convenience. Decorating in warmer colours can be an ideal alternative to the usual whites and off-whites of homes for sale, since this is often better people who are spending more time indoors as it creates a comfortable atmosphere.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about some huge changes to the world, including what new home buyers are looking for.