While we’ve been spending more time than ever in our homes, it’s clear that we want more things from them. Our homes have been everything to us during the past year, far more than just places to eat and sleep. Today, home buyers are bearing this in mind and adding extra specifications to their forever home wishlist. Take a look at our current 2021 home buyers top 5 wish list:
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Dedicated Home Office Space
Working from home is not new but to see so many people working from home simultaneously was unprecedented. While many employees are now returning to work those who can work from home often continue to. For short periods, a desk in the lounge or a corner of the kitchen table was sufficient. However, when the whole workload is being completed at home, a dedicated workspace is needed.
Rightmove state: “Estate agents tell us they’re noticing more buyers looking for space to work from home, with a 326% jump in use of terms ’office’, ‘workspace’ and ‘working from home’ in property listings.”
In addition to an ergonomic desk and chair, creative and storage space is also required. While working from home, it’s important to be able to close the door to the office each day to help keep that important work-life balance in check.
2. Home Gym
At-home fitness equipment is the fastest growing trend of 2021. Homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes with a completed home gym or at least the extra space to be able to create their own fitness room. During the pandemic, gyms closed and people found this had a detrimental effect on their mental as well as physical health. It’s always been common for householders to own home gym equipment (even if the treadmill does sometimes become a clothes horse!) but increasingly gym bunnies want a space big enough to kit out with all the exercise equipment vital to their usual routine. As long as it’s not taking away a bedroom, a professionally finished dedicated fitness room can add value to your home too.
3. A Large, Modern Kitchen
During 2020 and 2021, we have eaten at home more than ever before while the hospitality industry had to close down and we needed to work and school from home. Faced with cooking for the family at least three times a day, we’ve been working our kitchens hard and realising just how much easier it would be if we had a large, modern kitchen. Many people have also turned to cooking and baking as a lockdown hobby so want more space for all their new gadgets and to enjoy their new creative pastime.
4. Leisure Facilities at Home
With leisure facilities closed for so long, it’s no wonder people are now dreaming of having them in their own home. High-end estate agents have seen an increase in demand for houses with swimming pools, followed by tennis courts. Once seen as a luxury, now as we’re not able to travel to resorts as much, well off home buyers want luxury resort facilities in their own home. While still a dream for many, those who can afford it are now adding full-sized swimming pools to their home buyer wishlist.
5. Covered Outdoor Entertainment Area
With the knowledge that outdoor socialising poses a lower risk of the spread of the Covid-19 virus, we are set to continue to entertain outside. The main problem with alfresco living is due to the UK weather-we do not live in an all year round dry, sunny climate! Open-sided gazebos only offer a temporary solution and can not withstand high winds. Homebuyers are looking for permanent covered outdoor entertaining spaces, such as an American style wooden porch or covered outdoor kitchen. Having all-weather outdoor socialising spaces mean we can continue to see our friends and family safely, whatever the weather, which is priceless.
Of course, the Covid-9 pandemic has affected us all in different ways. Many people now have different priorities in life and may have changed careers and could be looking to downsize their homes. If you’re currently looking for your forever home and hope to tick off all the amenities on your wishlist, check out this handy mortgage calculator so you can check if the monthly payments on your dream home will be affordable.
Good luck finding your forever home!
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