Access to green spaces, an easy commute and being close to major rail and road networks remain at the top of homebuyers’ lists when moving to a new area.

The research, by estate agents Jackson-Stops, found homeowners were increasingly prioritising convenient travel with a shift back to office life, but were still looking for the open spaces and ‘green’ environments that became a ‘must have’ for many buyers during the pandemic. 

When asked about their priorities when moving to a new area, 52% of respondents said a 20-minute walk to a public green space or park was a ‘must have’ – the most popular answer given.

Meanwhile 48% of respondents cited being a good commuting distance from work, and the same number said being near major transport connections would be on their list. A further 43% wanted to be within walking distances of shops and other amenities.

The research also found 40% said they wanted proximity to the countryside, while 30% wanted proximity to the coast.  More than a quarter (26%) said moving to a lower council tax band was a ‘must have’, while access to a Ofsted-rated school was mentioned by 17% of prospective homebuyers. 

The survey also asked what buyers considered to be a ‘must have’ in regards to the property. The top four answers – all cited by a third (30%) of respondents – were a large garden, a home office space, a downstairs toilet and energy saving measures already installed. 

These trends indicate that the ‘race for space’ is not over, but the recent cost-of-livng squeeze is also affecting home buying decisions, with buyers looking for lower council tax bills and more energy efficient homes.

Jackson-Stops chairman Nick Leeming says: “Buyers looking for green energy measures already installed is a significant trend that is likely to grow in the coming years, removing the inconvenience of exploring these routes themselves as well as installation costs, noting the long terms benefits of lower energy bills. 

“Less disposable income is playing its role in these results, and this is where we might see buyers start to negotiate on asking prices, prioritising a home purchase that is future-proofed from day one.”

As well as material features, a short completion time was cited as a dealmaker for 6% of buyers in the survey. Leeming adds: “In a competitive market, the ability to move quickly or buy a property without an onward chain can be the difference between securing a property or losing out to a buyer that is able to move quicker.”