With the stamp duty holiday in place, there is significant level of demand in the property market. If you plan on selling your home, it makes sense to know what buyers look at, as this helps you to connect with likely buyers.

At Austin Property Services, we are pleased to say we have helped many Bournemouth vendors connect with buyers. We know the local market, and we stay in touch with what is happening nationally.

Be prepared for what is happening in housing market right now

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of Property Data, said: “Increased competition for second-stepper homes has pushed prices to a record this month for those looking to take the next step up the ladder. Needing more space has always been the most popular reason for moving house, but now there’s a new urgency for extra space to be able to work from home, which means that there are different sets of buyers competing for the same type of property.”

Tim continued by saying; “At the start of the year a fourth bedroom was very much a luxury for buyers trading up, but it’s now emerging as a must-have for those who are able to take that step. With overall asking prices just a few hundred pounds shy of July’s record, and buyer demand at an all-time high, those currently looking for their next home are likely to find that only offers close to the asking price will be considered, especially for larger homes.”

Where do buyers look when viewing a property?

An innovative study carried out by comparethemarket.com offers insight into what prospective buyers look at, and test, when viewing a prospective property. These might not be the factors which make or break a buyer’s resolve to make an offer, but if problems arise, a buyer might not be inclined to follow up their initial interest in the property.

Some of the most commonly considered points include:

• The quality and condition of radiators

• Access to a garden space

• The level of water pressure

• Cupboard doors

• The comfort of beds

• How well the oven works

• How light switches work

• The accessories which add a touch of personality to the property

Mark Gordon, head of mortgages at comparethemarket.com, said: “UK house prices are currently on the up and with the stamp duty holiday prompting more buyers to get on the property market, it’s a competitive time for homeowners looking to sell their home. We conducted this experiment to determine the areas of the home buyers look at most to help sellers maximise their chances of a sale. Some sellers may not have considered these factors when preparing their homes for viewings, so we hope our insight will help them focus on the areas they should check and freshen up.”

We know many people have questions and queries right now, and we are here to help as best we can. Please get in touch with Austin Property Services if there is anything, we can assist you with. You can call us on 01305 858470 or you can email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..