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What Are the Top 10 Features Home Buyers Want In Their Next Home?

If you are considering selling your home, it’s worth considering the best features that buyers want. Here are the top 10 features home buyers look for in a new property.

Note: When investing in home upgrades for the purpose of selling your home with increased kerb appeal and value, it’s important to consider a cost-benefit analysis.

After all, if you intend to sell your home soon, a massive upgrade that offers about the same increased value as it costs to begin with is not likely to be worthwhile. Instead, you’ll want to consider the value gains vs. upfront cost and any potential value to you and your household if the upgrade will be utilised for at least several years.

1. Up-to-date Kitchen

Among some of the top features home buyers often look for is a modern kitchen. This could come in the form of an up-to-date kitchen design and, importantly, modern kitchen appliances.

Along with being more energy efficient in general, modern kitchen appliances often come with added features. Some modern features to consider include digital controls (fridge-freezer), a load sensor (washing machine) and quiet operation (dishwasher). Many modern kitchen appliances also come with smart technology.

While replacing kitchen appliances can increase the kerb appeal of your home, it’s also worth considering how to improve the overall design and layout. Popular modern kitchen designs include minimalism, Scandinavian and monochrome.

Modern kitchens also often come with kitchen islands, natural stone countertops, high-end flooring, open shelves and an open-plan kitchen.

2. Energy Efficient Property

Home buyers also tend to find energy efficient properties quite appealing, especially if it can offer lower running costs than their current home.

The energy efficiency of UK households is measured by their Energy Performance Certificate or EPC. With the average UK home having an EPC rating of D, a property with an A to C rating could prove appealing to many potential buyers.

To increase your home’s energy efficiency, consider having double-glazed windows installed or insulation (e.g. wall insulation or loft insulation).

For generally less expensive upgrades, you could (as discussed above) replace your kitchen appliances with modern and more efficient alternatives. Please note that the steps needed to increase a property’s energy efficiency vs what’s needed to increase its EPC rating may not always match exactly. If in doubt, contact your local council for clarification.

3. Home Driveway

If you do not have one yet, a driveway can also increase the kerb appeal of your home, while also potentially bringing up its resale value. In fact, it is likely to add somewhere between 5% and 10% to your property’s value.

The most popular driveway materials include:

Concrete
Gravel
Tarmac
Resin
Block paving
Concrete imprint

While single driveways are commonplace, allowing for one car park space, a double driveway is another option if there is sufficient space. All in all, off-street parking offers a standout appeal to potential buyers.

4. Garage

An alternative or addition to a driveway is a garage. If you already have a garage installed, you could take the opportunity to have it refurbished or/and repurposed to increase your property’s kerb appeal.

Along with offering new room for parking, a garage may be utilised for storage, to create a workshop or even for a home gym, among various other uses.

5. A Nice Garden Space

A back garden is another approach to attracting potential buyers. Therefore, if you have a back garden space to work with, consider having it done up with a range of landscaping upgrades.

Some notable ways that a garden space can be improved include:

Decking or patio
A new lawn installation
Water features
Solar-powered lighting
Raised garden beds
Garden furniture

Having your lawn cared for and relevant plants trimmed and pruned can also contribute to a better overall look for your garden before putting your property on the market.

6. Nearby Amenities

While this is not a feature you have control over, it’s still worth noting that accessible local amenities is another pointer that many home buyers care about.

Though you can’t determine the number of local amenities in your area, it’s still worth noting these down. After all, if there are sufficient amenities near you, you could then highlight this point when selling your home while laying out exactly what amenities are available.

7. Work From Home Office

With remote work on the rise in recent years, work from home offices have naturally seen their appeal grow too.

Whether you have an existing home office or a space that can be converted into one, a remote work-from-home room could attract many homebuyers.

Along with homebuyers who may be seeking a space to use for employment-based work from home, some may also wish to use a home office for side projects including creative pursuits, managing a business, e-learning and much more.

8. Public Transport Links

As with the number and type of amenities near you, public transport links are another aspect of selling a home that is not in your hands but nonetheless can make a difference.

Therefore, it’s also worth taking note of all the important public transport connections near you so that you can convey these details to potential buyers when asked. Either that or, of course, as a better way of pitching your home to those exploring the market.

9. Smart Tech

Smart tech can also appeal to home buyers since appliances and gadgets utilising this technology can provide increased convenience and lower bills (where applicable).

Some of the best smart tech these days include:

Smart home hubs
Autonomous vacuum cleaners
Smart thermostats
Advanced, smart home security systems
Smart doorbells

10. Storage Space

A property with plenty of storage and ideally smart and integrated storage can also provide that extra charm and convenience many home buyers will be looking for.