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The 10 most in-demand features for buyers

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22.07.2024

When it comes time to sell your home, you may be considering how you can appeal to prospective buyers. What are homebuyers looking for?

Recent research from Rightmove into the features that led to the highest number of estate agent enquiries evaluated data from over 600,000 property listings.

Amongst the top ten features were properties with gardens, loft conversions, and double-glazing. But what took the number one spot?

Understanding buyer preferences

Understanding the needs and wants of potential buyers can give you a competitive edge in the market, increasing the likelihood of a faster sale or a higher price.

Market trends

Current trends: Economic factors in the UK can have an impact on market trends. For example, high mortgage rates in recent years have led to somewhat of a a stagnation in house prices over the last 12 months, though (according to Zoopla’s House Price Index) are set to be up to 2% higher by the end of 2024, with buyers paying a greater proportion of the asking price.
Demographic shifts: As the demographics of buyers shift, the features they are looking for shift too. Today’s first-time buyers are typically older than they were in previous decades, according to government data, with a partner and dependent children.

Meeting buyer needs

First, you can identify any in-demand features your property already has in place, and highlight those in your property listing and marketing.

In some cases, adding in-demand features to the property before putting it on the market may enable you to command a higher sale price, for example by installing double-glazing.

You might also be able to highlight the potential for the feature to be added to the property, for example, if you have sought planning permission for a loft conversion.

The top features buyers want

1. Renovation project (fixer-upper, in need of refurb)

A fixer-upper, or renovation project, is a property that is in a state of disrepair and requires a lot of work to make it livable.

Renovation projects are appealing for two reasons. First, they tend to cost less to buy than comparable well-maintained properties, which may appeal to first-time-buyers trying to get on the property ladder, and to investors hoping to quickly refurbish the property to rent or resell at a profit.

Sellers can highlight this feature by mentioning key words and phrases such as “renovation project,” “fixer-upper,” and “in need of refurb” in the description. They can also point out the features of the property where there is potential to add another desirable feature as part of the refurbishment.

2. New boiler

New boilers are in-demand because they are less likely to cause problems down the line.
Newly fitted boilers may come with a warranty, so any potential issues can be resolved quickly and cheaply. They are typically more energy efficient than old boilers, saving money on utility bills.
Highlight this feature by mentioning it in the listing. You may also want to request a new EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) as a more efficient boiler may change the EPC rating.

3. Loft conversion

A loft conversion refers to a home where the space under the roof (the loft, or attic) has been converted into a functional room.

They add extra space to a property without taking any of the garden with an extension. If a property has a loft conversion already installed, there is not additional work required on the part of the buyer to expand into this space.

Sellers can highlight a loft conversion by including in in the description text of the property listing, including photos of the converted space in the listing, and including the space in the floorplans displayed in the listing. If the property doesn’t yet feature a loft conversion, having the loft area surveyed and securing planning permission for a potential conversion may entice buyers who are looking for a loft conversion property.

4. Storage space

Storage space is at a premium as we all own more stuff than previous generations, while the minimalist aesthetic continues to thrive.

Readily available storage space appeals to potential buyers, as it helps to visualise their own belongings fitting into the property.

You can highlight storage space in the listing text, in professional photography, and even in the floorplans on the listing. Specific mention of storage space such as cellars or basements, attics or lofts, garages, etc. can be helpful here.

5. Cellar

A cellar is a space in a property that is completely or partially below ground level. They are common in older properties in the UK.

Cellars or basements may be useful as a storage area, or even converted (much like a loft conversion) into an additional space or room in the property.

Highlight a cellar by mentioning “cellar” or “basement” in the listing text. If the cellar has been ‘finished’ or converted into a functional room, include that information in the listing text too, and include the space in any professional photos and floorplans alongside the listing. If the cellar is unfinished, you can highlight its use as a storage space, and its potential for conversion into an additional room.

6. Double glazing

Double-glazing refers to windows which have two layers of glass, with a small gap between them. Double-glazing is a standard feature for new homes (built after 2002), though many older homes are also double-glazed.

Double-glazing keeps heat in (making a property more energy efficient and reducing the likelihood of damp), whilst cutting noise from outside.

Highlight whether the property is fully or partially double-glazed in the listing. If you recently had double-glazing fitted, you may also want to request a new EPC (Energy Performance Certificate).

7. Refurbished

Refurbished properties have had work done to make them look good again after falling into disrepair, or many years or wear and tear.

A refurbished property would appeal to buyers who are looking to move straight in with no need to any immediate improvements to be made.

Highlight a newly refurbished property by including words such as “refurbished” or “newly decorated” in the listing text. High quality professional staging and photography can also highlight the polished look of a recently refurbished property.

You may also wish to include details of exactly what was refurbished within the property. This may include: (re)plastering or (re)painting, replacing or upgrading windows or roof tiles, re-flooring, installing new kitchens or bathrooms, or garden landscaping.

8. Chain free

If a property is chain-free, it means that the seller isn’t purchasing another property at the same time as selling this one.

Chain-free property purchases typically go through faster, more smoothly, and more reliably, because the sale isn’t dependent on another transaction to move forward.

You can include the words “chain-free” or “no onward chain” in the listing text, to highlight the status to potential buyers.

9. Garden

Properties with gardens have always been in-demand, but since the pandemic lockdowns, the value of having your own outdoor space has really become apparent.

Potential buyers can use a garden to cook outdoors, tend to a flowerbed or vegetable patch, let their kids or pets play outside safely, or just relax in the privacy of their garden.

Highlight the fact that the property has a garden in the text description, including the size of the garden, the direction it faces, as well as any additional features the garden has, such as a deck, a shed, or landscaping. You can also showcase a garden with the use of professional photography.

If the property doesn’t have a garden but it does have other outdoor space, such as a balcony, yard, or roof-deck, this can also be worth highlighting in the text description.

10. Near station

Properties within a short walking distance to a station have a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly way to access the nearest cities.

Being near to a station gives potential buyers access to transport links from a more suburban or rural setting.

You can mention the name of the nearest station in the listing, the major cities that station links to, as well as the approximate walking distance from the property to the station.

How to highlight these features in your listing

If your property includes any of the most in-demand features, the best way to capitalise on that is to showcase them in your listing and highlight them to potential buyers.

Professional photography

Professional photography can make features stand out, by showcasing them at their best so that potential buyers can visibly see them when looking through listings.

Your estate agent will be able to recommend a professional property photographer. Help the photographer by finding and clearing space at the best angle to capture the photos, and by enabling them to access natural daylight.

Detailed descriptions

Work with your estate agent to craft detailed and engaging descriptions, emphasising the most in-demand features in the listing text.

Highlight sought-after features at the start of the listing, and mention them throughout the rest of the text, where appropriate.

Virtual Tours and Staging

Virtual tours are becoming more and more important to house sale listings. You can highlight key features by staging the home and pointing them out during the virtual tour video.

Working with an Estate Agent

Expertise in Market Trends

Local estate agents, like Home & Manor, have a breadth of knowledge about hyperlocal trends you can tap into. As well as highlighting these national trending features, your estate agent will be able to advise you on any additional features that are in-demand in the area.

Agents are experts in marketing properties. They can advise you on how best to highlight those in-demand features.

Maximising Property Appeal

Engaging a professional estate agent, who has a deep understanding of the local property market, is a huge advantage when it comes to showcasing in-demand features of your property.

As well as offering professional advice on the best features to highlight, and how to showcase those features to potential buyers, your agent will create a customised marketing strategy, tailored to your specific property and your ideal buyers.