British homeowners much prefer the way we live now, according to a survey carried out by Anglian Home Improvements.
It might have been known as the Swinging Sixties – with Beatlemania, a relaxation of social taboos and England’s only World Cup win – but people aren’t so keen nowadays on the multi-coloured bathroom suites, crazy paving and pebble dashing that characterised homes in that era.
In fact, what was once seen as the height of sophistication now tops the list for the home improvement us Brits most dislike.
Homeowners in the present day favour state-of-the-art entertainment zones (44% of people), wet rooms (43% of people) and bi-fold doors or conservatories (58% of people). These latter home improvements often help to improve the flow between outdoor and indoor, especially if a house has significant garden space.
Other popular home improvements include a separate dining room (56%), underfloor heating (35%) and decking (40%).
The survey, which spoke to more than 2,000 households, analysed how tastes and the way people used their homes had changed in the past 50 years.
According to the majority of respondents (70%), the most positive home improvement during this time has been central heating, followed in second place by indoor toilets (51%). Hot running water (43%) was in third place, closely followed by better insulated windows in fourth (41%). All of this suggests, of course, that warmth and comfort are still major priorities for the vast majority of British homeowners.
The capacity to work from home thanks to technological advances over the last 15 or so years had, according to 24% of those surveyed, been a significant influence on the way people use their homes. Where once cooking spaces and washing areas were seen as the places requiring improvement, now homeowners are focusing principally on improving their entertaining space.
Those surveyed were also asked what motivates them to make improvements to their homes, with the majority (47%) stating that it was to add monetary value to their home, while 30% said it was to save costs and 28% said it worked out cheaper than moving house.
This research has now given us a little bit more insight into what British buyers are after. If, as a seller, your home contains an entertainment centre, a wet room or a conservatory, shine a light on this when buyers come to view your home. Space in which to entertain and socialise is also becoming increasingly popular, so if your home provides this in abundance make sure it’s a major part of your sales pitch.
For more information about how Balgores Property Group can help sell your home, please contact us at one of our many branches. We have operations across Essex and Kent, from Gravesend to Upminster. To find out how much your property could be worth in the current marketplace, check out our free instant online valuation tool.
https://www.balgoresproperty.co.uk/News/11821/Balgores-Property-Group.aspx
