Knowing what buyers are looking for is the first step to selling your home...
It's a great time to put your property on the market. But, to make a quick sale, for the best price, sellers need to cater to the changing needs of buyers. Here we discuss what those needs are and how to meet them.
Working from Home
Early last year, the studio flat was the second most sought after property type. Once the pandemic hit, this changed drastically and there has been a growing appetite for two, three and four-bedroom houses ever since.
As workplaces continue to have restricted access, working from home is now essential for large parts of the population. If you don’t have one currently, it's well worth converting one of your rooms into a workspace to appeal to potential buyers. If you get it right, a home office can be a fairly simple setup. Natural light is a must. Where you can, try to provide ample plug sockets for computers, printers and anything else necessary to work. Perhaps most importantly, a good home office needs reliable broadband so make sure your home office has a strong connection.
Parking
Access to good parking is popular with homebuyers. Firstly, for convenience, but secondly because it lowers the insurance premiums for their car. If you don’t have ample parking, research what the options could be for potential buyers. Being able to provide this information may resolve the issue, and lead to a faster sale.
Energy Efficiency
Aside from the environmental impact of using excessive fuel, the financial cost of energy is rising and smart buyers will be keen to know how efficient your home is. If you don’t already know, find out what your energy rating is and compare it to other homes on the market that are similar to yours.
Outdoor Space
Outdoor space has become a must for homebuyers in recent months. The pandemic has resulted in people wanting bigger gardens and to live closer to green spaces. If you have a garden, try to maximise its appeal with garden furniture and features. This may be less of a priority during the winter months but many buyers will still be thinking ahead to next summer.
Country and suburban living
With more of us working from home, living close to transport links is less important. Buyers are instead looking to live somewhere quieter and a little more rural. When listing your property, be sure to highlight it’s outdoor credentials.
There has undoubtedly been a shift in buyer preferences over the last few months. We want to make sure you’re aware of these changes so you can make sure your home matches the needs of a moving market.
Getting 'buyer ready' is the first step. The next step is finding out how much your home could sell for.
