Modern features can help speed up the sale of your property
When it comes to selling your property, there’s no knowing how long it will be on the market for. Some properties are snapped up in a jiffy, and others can sometimes struggle to attract attention and offers - but the good news is there’s usually something that can be done to improve your chances of influencing a quicker sale.
A recent time on market report from home.co.uk indicates that properties in South Wales usually spend an average of 160 days on the market as of July 2018, with semi-detached properties typically selling the quickest in an average of 125 days, and flats typically taking the longest to shift in an average of 201 days. Compared to last year, all types of properties in South Wales are on average selling 8% quicker, or in terms of days, 14 days sooner.
Millennials are seeking specific features
Despite the year-on-year improvement in average sale times, things still don’t move fast enough for many sellers. There are new modern features that the millennial market looks for when purchasing a home, so ensuring your property ticks most of the millennial-seeking list could certainly help speed up the time it takes to attract a buyer - and who knows, maybe even orchestrate a bidding war!
Old classic features remain near the top of the list for all types of homebuyers - even the modern millennial buyers. However, these new modern features have certainly climbed their way up the wanted list.
Common essentials that modern homebuyers now seek include things like the ability to have a strong Wi-Fi connection, and plenty of conveniently placed plug sockets. In a digital world with technology playing an increasingly important role in our lives it’s easy to understand why so many people rank being able to charge their phone or tablet in a variety of practical places so highly!
Changing with the times
The things that Britons are looking for in their homes is slowly but surely changing with the times, and it’s often being reflected in the time a property spends on the market, with homes that fail to offer these modern necessities struggling to compete with those that do.
Ben Wilson, Energy Partner Development Manager for GoCompare Home Insurance, says that buying a home is the biggest financial commitment that most people will make in their lifetime, so it’s helpful for homebuyers to have an idea as to the type of area and property they’d like to live in, along with any real must-have priorities and preferences, before going out for viewings. He says connectivity and energy efficiency are now two huge factors for anyone considering a purchase, while the number of electrical sockets is now more important for many people that access to local amenities.
Central heating, double glazing and security have always been at the top of the list, and this hasn’t changed, but a strong internet connection for streaming films and browsing the web has made its way towards the top and is now the fifth most important feature for modern homebuyers, with the multiple plug socket preference sitting in sixth - both ranking higher than a driveway!
How many of these “must-have” features does the property you’re hoping to sell have, and how many would you look for when buying a home?
Top 20 must-have features:
1. Central heating
2. Double glazed windows and doors
3. Secure windows and doors
4. A garden
5. Reliable and fast-speed broadband connection
6. Plenty of electrical sockets in practical places
7. Local to shops and amenities
8. A driveway or dedicated parking space
9. Strong mobile signal
10. Good energy efficiency
11. 2 toilets or more
12. Friendly neighbourhood
13. A bathtub
14. A shower cubicle
15. Cavity wall insulation
16. A large living room
17. A garage
18. A dining room
19. A landline telephone
20. New boiler or central heating
If you’re looking to buy or sell a property in Cardiff, then get in touch with our team at CPS Homes Estate Agents today. We have the knowledge and expertise to help you every step of the way, with a wide range of properties available in all corners of the city. You can contact us on 02920 668585, e-mail enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or pop into one of our three Cardiff branches, based in Roath, Cathays and Cardiff Bay.
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
