Stay up to date with all the latest news from Streets Ahead

Stay up to date with all the latest news from Streets Ahead




What are the key selling points of a home in 2022?

 
If you’re wondering how valuable your home is, knowing its most desirable assets is a good place to start. Estate agents know exactly which features are hot on the market right now, which is why they are highlighted in listings to make sure the property is easily spotted by suitable buyers.
 
Data from Rightmove suggests which features buyers are looking for in today’s market, by ranking the most popular ‘key words’ highlighted by estate agents to sell houses. Due to a change in working patterns, there has been a clear move towards garden offices, orangeries, summer houses, underfloor heating, bi-fold doors and open-plan rooms. If your house has any of these features to offer, your home could be extremely appealing to buyers in today’s market.
 
Take a look at the features that are highlighted to attract the most potential buyers in 2022.
 
Garden office
Working from home has become a new way of life, and this has caused many people to move entirely in search of better office space.
 
Advertising a spare room which is suitable for a home office with good ventilation, accessible outlets to plug in a computer setup and ample space for a desk will make your home extremely attractive to many buyers. The proportion of listings that mention garden offices, were found to be 11 times higher than a decade ago. That’s an increase of 1,046%!
 
Bi-fold doors
Rightmove reported a huge rise in demand for bi-fold doors, with a 589% increase in popularity compared to 10 years ago. The post-pandemic need for space is thought to be the driving force behind this feature becoming so sought-after, as this enables people to extend and diversify their living space.
 
Orangeries and summer houses
What sets orangeries apart from conservatories, is the bricks in place of glass. The name originates from where fruit trees were stored during the winter months, so that should tell you how cosy and warm these home extensions are. The number of property listings mentioning summer houses has also seen an increase, whereas greenhouses seem to have declined in popularity. Smaller windows allow for a more functional and dynamic space, allowing scope for multiple uses such as home offices, living rooms, and dining space.
 
Underfloor heating
Listings that feature underfloor heating jumped by 114%, as buyers search for more energy-efficient solutions to warm up the house.
 
Underfloor heating is a cleaner, smarter way to heat a home. Using radiant heat technology, under-floor heating gently warms people and objects in the room directly, from the ground up.
 
Open plan living
Open floor plans remain popular among families and busy households due to their better traffic flow and multifunctional spaces. The wide-open space is most desirable for those with larger families as the layout offers a grand communal area. Consider removing a wall that separates your kitchen from your dining room, and your listing will become more attractive to buyers looking for a family home.
 
Looking for advice on how you can improve your property before selling? Contact us today.
 



Home staging tips for the autumn

 
A thorough decluttering usually precedes home staging since it gives the house a more welcoming appearance and greatly facilitates the moving process. You could also choose to renovate if necessary.
 
Additionally, depersonalising your property and repainting it in a neutral colour scheme will help potential buyers see themselves living there.
 
Here are our top suggestions for staging your house in the autumn, since there are many seasonal aspects that will also influence how you present your property.
 
Clear the entrance way
The porch or hallway should get the same care you gave the front of your house. These areas are frequently cluttered with muddy boots, raincoats, and crimson leaves.
 
Carefully sprinkling autumnal decor
When setting your house in the fall, it might be simple to go overboard. Instead, of designing a space around the season, each area should make a tribute to it. Consider placing a single item of art, flower arrangement, or pumpkin display in each area to prevent the season from taking over your house.
 
Incorporate autumnal scents
Use reed diffusers and candles to spread delicate smells around the house. Seasonal colours like burnt orange and pumpkin go well together, but you should be cautious not to combine too many opposing aromas since they frequently work against one another.
 
Accentuate the fireplaces
As mentioned, viewers want to see a house they can imagine spending the winters tucked up inside, and a fireplace is the epitome of cosy nights.
Any purchaser will be won over by an original fireplace's cosy flames and delicate light.
 
Have you been looking for an agent? Get in touch to discuss selling your property today.



Things to consider when relocating

 
It may be really thrilling to contemplate relocating. Daily life might seem like an adventure when you first relocate. There will be fresh places to eat, nearby marketplaces to visit, and friends to make.
 
However, deciding whether to relocate to a new place is a significant choice, so think carefully before making the leap.
 
We will offer our advice on the key factors to take into account before relocating to a new area and purchasing a new home.
 
Do the transportation options meet your needs?
You undoubtedly travel about your community regularly, perhaps even every day. An area's suitability as a place to live can be greatly influenced by its transportation options. Consult the area recommendations on the website of your local estate agents to see whether the location fits your lifestyle.
 
Are the amenities in the area suitable?
Some people like to live close to a lot of facilities, including parks, shopping centres, colleges, and supermarkets. Others, however, might not consider these factors to be as significant. The facilities you desire in a location ultimately depend largely on your lifestyle. Researching the area and speaking with a knowledgeable estate agent are the greatest ways to learn about the surrounding benefits.
 
What are crime rates like?
It's a good idea to look into the local crime statistics if you have children, elderly relatives, or any other reason to be particularly worried about the crime rates in a certain area. This is possible online. Just keep in mind that the numbers might not be as alarming as they first appear, so it's a good idea to compare them to your current location before making a choice.
 
Can you afford it?
First, you need to establish whether you can afford to live in your chosen new area – and which type of property is best for your budget. The best way to do this is to get in touch with a local estate agent. With their help, you can understand what types of properties are available to suit your budget.
 
Have you been considering relocating? Get in touch to discuss selling and finding your next property today.