What to look for in a home

Published 13th Apr 2007

The majority of homebuyers preferred a house with environmentally friendly features, but what should you really look for in a home?

Given the choice between two properties of a similar size and value, 82 per cent of respondents claimed a house with features such as solar panels, had more of an influence on their decision to buy than attic room, period features and walk-in wardrobes.

The research, from Nationwide Building Society, also revealed a pleasant neighbourhood was very important when deciding on which area to live in.

In fact, location of a property is higher on the agenda than a good school catchment or the likelihood of future house price rises in the area.

Over half of house hunters believe the kitchen to be the most influential room of a house, when it comes to making a decision to buy, followed closely by the sitting room.
Surprisingly, the bathroom was one of the rooms least likely to influence a purchase decision, despite the expense involved in modernizing a bathroom.

Nationwide chief economist, Fionnuala Earley, said: “It is great to see that, given the choice, most of us would opt for a ‘green’ home, although there’s currently no evidence to suggest that environmentally friendly properties command a higher price.

“Having said that, with the recent publication of the government’s climate change bill and the pressure on households to become more energy efficient, it is inevitable that environmental home improvements will have some impact on house prices over the long-term.”
By Jennifer Lowe

Source: ' What Mortgage '

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