After the property website Rightmove recorded record levels of traffic for January, The Negotiator Magazine spoke to industry portals to discover trends and preferences of buyers.
According to the magazine, in terms of demand, a private garden is key for those looking to buy, while renters are more worried about the number and size of bedrooms. Both types of clients want fitted kitchens, meaning sellers can boost the value of their property by around £9,605 with a new kitchen, the report says. Other top ways sellers can add to their home’s value is through converting a room into an extra bedroom.
Meanwhile, prices are reportedly remaining steady on the back of short supply. The national picture has been varied, and a clear direction for the housing market has yet to emerge. However, Nationwide did reportedly report a 0.4 per cent rise for December. According to The Negotiator, a poll by Zoopla shows 54 per cent of househunters expect prices to rise this year, but this is lower than the 81 per cent of house hunters who were expecting prices to rise a year ago. This seems to suggest sentiment is lower than a year ago.
Among property marketing trends, the article says, photography is proving key. According to a poll by FindaProperty.com 83 per cent of househunters reportedly think a photograph is critical for a listing. The article gives some striking evidence on the importance of professional interior photography: properties without photos receive 81 per cent less interest than those with, according to Rightmove, while photos also heighten a property’s click-through rate. Furthermore, the devil is in the detail, and to enhance a property’s attractiveness it is crucial to put in accurate details on location, price and the number of bedrooms, says The N-M, together with a detailed floor plan.
