20 Great Features You Need To Know Before You Actually Selling Your Home

Building a conservatory could actually hurt your chances of buying a home – according to the latest study of what buyers want.

More, good broadband is now more than three times as important as good schools, while period features no longer have Brits clamouring to buy.

“We found that many potential buyers are prioritising efficiency, security and connectivity over aesthetic features,” said Matt Sanders from, Gocompare.com home insurance, who carried out the research.

“This suggests that modern buyers are buying with their heads rather than their hearts and that investing in things like a new boiler, additional electrical sockets or modernising your home’s insulation could be a smarter investment than traditional selling points such as period features or conservatories.”

The research also found that past trends – including open-plan kitchens and living areas and period features – are no longer in our top 20 'must-have' features.

“It is surprising to see previous must-haves such as good schools and conservatories fail to make the top 20,” Saunders said.

“However, our research shows that buyers are becoming more financially savvy and are willing to make compromises on the finer details of a property to keep costs down and avoid expensive work in the future.”

The top 20 property must-haves for 2017

1. Central heating - 69% of buyers


2. Double glazing - 68% of buyers


3. A garden - 65% of buyers


4. Secure doors and windows - 61% of buyers


5. Driveway or dedicated parking space - 54% of buyers


6. Plenty of electrical sockets - 54% of buyers


7. Local shops and amenities - 50% of buyers


8. A good, reliable broadband connection strong enough to stream TV and films - 49% of buyers


9. Friendly neighbours - 47% of buyers


10. At least 2 toilets- 46% of buyers


11. A bath - 46% of buyers


12. A good energy efficiency rating - 46% of buyers


13. A new boiler/central heating system - 45% of buyers


14. A reliable, clear mobile phone signal - 44% of buyers


15. A shower cubicle - 40% of buyers


16. A garage - 39% of buyers


17. Cavity wall insulation - 38% of buyers


18. A land line telephone - 38% of buyers


19. A living room big enough for a large, flat screen television - 37% of buyers


20. A dining room - 35% of buyers

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