Six of the top 15 features that make buyers more likely to buy a property are external, with a lawned garden, security system, paved patio, outdoor lights, bifold doors and decking, all working to increase the number of potential buyers for a property.
Inside, it’s functional additions like a downstairs toilet, built-in storage, a separate shower cubicle and underfloor heating that would attract the most buyers. Interestingly, having separate living spaces rather than just one open plan space for the whole family also appeared to be popular with prospective buyers, which could be a sign that more of us are starting to appreciate a separate living room to a kitchen diner, to kick back and relax in at night.
The top 15 home improvements that attract the most buyers are:
1. Downstairs toilet – 58%
2. Built-in storage (wardrobes/cupboards) – 54%
3. UPVC double glazing – 54%
4. Separate shower cubicle – 52%
5. Lawned garden – 51%
6. Separate living spaces (opposite of open-plan) – 49%
7. Security system – 47%
8. Paved patio – 45%
9. Outdoor lights – 41%
10. Underfloor heating – 41%
11. Marble worksurface in kitchen – 38%
12. Kitchen island – 37%
13. Bi-fold doors to the garden – 35%
14. Decking – 33%
15. White window frames – 30%
(ranked by the percentage of homeowners who said each feature would make them more likely to buy a property)
Adrienne says:“If you choose to make any changes to your home ahead of selling, many of the buyer turnoffs aren’t actually too time-consuming or labour intensive to fix, whether you choose to go down the DIY route, or you get a trusted tradesperson in. And, although some of the most attractive home improvements may look like bigger, more costly jobs to complete, there are clever and cost-effective ways to achieve similar looks, which could in turn increase the value of your home.”
Rated People analysed a sample of 820 000 jobs from 3 million posted on its platform over the past three years to create the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report: 2020 . From huge spikes in homeowners wanting to make their homes more eco-friendly, to millennials being more likely than any other generation to tackle big DIY renovation jobs – the report provides a unique snapshot of home improvement trends and habits in 2020, including which design features attract and repel the most buyers.
Rated People has also worked with the award-winning influencer, Jen Stanbrook at Love Chic Living, to create a comprehensive list of tips on how to maximise your home’s value ahead of selling. For the full list of tips on how to fix the design features most likely to put buyers off, and how to add some of the home improvements that are most likely to attract buyers,
