Key selling points - dining rooms down, orangeries on the rise
Research carried out by Rightmove has revealed the home features which have grown the most in popularity, with garden offices topping the list.
The portal put together its new analysis based on the number of agents advertising them as key selling points.
The number of property listings that mention garden offices – which received a major boost during the pandemic, when more people started working from home than ever before – is now 11 times higher than a decade ago (up by 1,046%).
Second on the list are bi-fold doors, increasing by a massive 589% compared with 10 years ago, followed – somewhat surprisingly – by orangeries (up 173%) and underfloor heating (up 114%).
Summer houses are also in trend, up by 90%, but greenhouses appear to be on the way out, falling by nearly half (46%).
The number of new property listings now mentioning an electric car charging point has risen six times (+495%) compared with a year ago, as concerns about the environment continue to be a priority.
Rightmove’s findings suggest that home-owners could be ditching separate dining rooms for more modern open-plan options. Dining rooms being mentioned in property adverts were down by 28%, according to the website, while mentions of open-plan rooms are up 74%.
The decline of the traditional dining room may also be down to more people converting this room into a home office during the pandemic.
Conservatories (-52%) and fitted wardrobes (-29%) are other features dropping in popularity according to agents’ property listings.
“Agents and developers have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the home features that will attract suitable buyers. Where dining rooms and fitted wardrobes may not be as important to some potential buyers compared with ten years ago, other features like an outdoor office space have soared as working patterns have changed, and the findings indicate a move towards greener features too,” Rightmove’s Tim Bannister said.
“With outside space coming at such a premium, it may be that homeowners are ensuring what they build outside can be used in a number of different ways. For example, summer houses and orangeries are likely to have fewer or smaller windows than conservatories, and so can more suitably double up as home offices during the week and entertaining spaces at the weekend.”
James Holmear, group sales director at housebuilder Redrow, added: “These findings flow from the demand for more space at home which can accommodate blended personal and professional lives. Home offices have been increasing in popularity as many people continue to work from home on a more permanent basis.”
He went on: “Bifold doors are also highly sought after as they enable people to use space flexibly and extend their living space seamlessly into the outdoors. Sustainable features such as EV chargers, solar panels, water butts and eco waste bins are all rising up the priority list.”
Steve Rule, group design and technical director at Cala Homes, commented: “Over the last couple of years there has been a real shift in what home-hunters are looking for. Buyers are considering in much more detail what they really want and need from their home, and on truly optimising their space, especially as many are spending more time there through home or hybrid working.”
He added: “From a sustainability point of view, smart home tech has become very important. Underfloor heating is becoming more popular, both for environmental reasons and for the improved aesthetic it offers. We’re also rolling out various energy saving measures in our homes which have risen up the agenda for our buyers – from air source heat pumps and EV charging points to water saving fittings and PV/solar panels.”
Source: Estate Agent Today