Top school nearby? We prefer a home office, say househunters

How pandemic has changed property market priorities

IT was traditionally one of the highest priorities when people were considering buying a property.

But, post pandemic, being in a good school catchment area is now considered less important than having a home office.

Estate agent Galbraith surveyed 1,000 of its customers and has created a top ten list of the property features most desired by buyers.

Coming out on top was a property in walk-in condition, with 82 per cent of those surveyed rating it the most desirable feature. Difficulties in sourcing materials and the lack of availability of tradesmen have been cited as the main reasons people are being put off renovation projects.

A large dining kitchen was in second place, with 80 per cent of people putting it on their wish list. Off-street parking was third, rated by 76 per cent of househunters.

Properties offering additional space to set up an office for home working came in fourth at 72 per cent – ahead of being within a good school catchment area, which was in fifth place.

Alexander Scott, head of residential sales for Galbraith in Edinburgh, where the survey was conducted, said: ‘It’s been a very interesting exercise to find out what’s currently at the top of buyers’ wish lists as this can change considerably from year to year.

‘Buyers looking for space for home working has certainly been a huge change since the pandemic.

‘Whilst this has nudged ahead of school catchment areas within the top ten desired features, it is its meteoric rise within such a survey that is particularly startling.

‘If we go back five or ten years, only 10 to 20 per cent of buyers would probably have ranked this as a key consideration.’

Having a private garden, good transport links and being in a peaceful area were also important factors, at sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

A room with a view was ninth, and completing the top ten was proximity to local parks and recreational facilities for families.