Post-Pandemic Property Search

More than a quarter of the UK’s renters and homeowners (26%) have found their property needs have changed since the pandemic, according to new research from Gradual Homeownership provider, Wayhome.

After over a year of remote working and months of non-essential shops and eateries being closed to the public, previously “high-valued” property amenities have slid far down the priority list. Indeed, among the renters and homeowners whose property requirements changed amid the pandemic, the least important features are now having an easy commute to work (17%), being close to shops and restaurants (17%) and living near public transport (14%).

Wayhome’s research indicates a new set of property amenities will take precedence once lockdown lifts, given the prolonged time spent at home and likelihood of hybrid working for office-workers going forward.

Indeed, when asked which property features had become more important since March 2020, more than a quarter (26%) said having the space for a proper home office was increasingly critical. And, given the fact so many working parents have had to juggle work and childcare commitments, the need for decent office space rose to 30% for parents, compared to 22% of non-parents.

As well as specific space for a home office, lockdown has caused a general desire for more space, be it for work or leisure. Almost a third (30%) of all homeowners and renters wanted more space in general, and a quarter (24%) said having a bigger bedroom was necessary.

And as more of us have spent time indoors, having access to a private garden has become increasingly important. 36% said this had become more important over the past year – a more popular desire among older people, especially 55-73 year olds at 52%, falling to 43% of 43-54 year olds and 35% of 24-42 year olds.

Similarly, a fifth (21%) of all respondents felt living near a public garden or green space was important to them, and the same number prioritised being near friends and family – a feature that resonated higher among women (25%) than it did for men (17%).

This research looking at the impact of the pandemic on people’s changing property needs comes ahead of the launch of a report by Wayhome on the challenges facing the UK’s renters and homeowners.

Nigel Purves, CEO of Wayhome commented: “When you’re narrowing down your search for the perfect home to rent or buy, most of us will have a wish-list, usually split into the “essentials” and “nice-to-haves”. Our upcoming report makes it clear just how far these wish-lists have changed as the pandemic rolled on. In most cases, we’ve seen a complete reversal, with potential renters and homeowners prioritising the things that would make living and working in that space the most comfortable and fit for purpose.

www.propertywire.com