Home hunter wish list REVEALED: The features buyers want - and one thing they really don't

A home with a good-quality finish is now buyers' number one priority, research shows, as stretched budgets lessen the appeal of a doer-upper.

Almost four in five house hunters now want ready-to-go properties, rather than taking on a renovation project that could end up being a money pit.

And buyers are prioritising this over other factors such as size and proximity to green space, according to specialist lender Market Financial Solutions, which surveyed 2,000 adults to find out the top priorities on a homebuyer's wish list.

Some 79 per cent of buyers say the quality and finish of the property is their main concern – and it jumped from fourth place to the top spot this year.

While mortgage rates are falling, they are still sky-high when compared to the cheap credit days of the pandemic.

These high borrowing costs have caused house seekers to favour stability in their expenditure – and the unpredictable cost of a refurbishment is simply too uncertain in a market where every pound matters.

Paresh Raja, chief executive of Market Financial Solutions, said: 'With borrowing costs still above the levels seen from 2008 to 2022, buyers are perhaps seeking stability and predictability, favouring homes that are ready to move into rather than those needing renovation or refurbishment.

'Any "doer upper" brings uncertainty, particularly when it comes to the cost of materials and labour, as well as the potential for delays, which can present challenges from a financing perspective.'

Last year, it was broadband and mobile connectivity which came in the number one spot, as many buyers anticipated a continued need to work from home some of the time.

It has fallen to silver place in 2025, with 77 per cent of those surveyed saying it is 'very important' or 'somewhat important.'

A garden or outdoor space is also important to 77 per cent of people.

Close proximity to the nearest city or town jumped six places to spot four on the list of homebuyers' priorities.

Garage and off-street parking was in spot five, with 72 per cent of those surveyed saying it was important.

Transport links such as access to major train lines and motorways remained in six place this year, with 71 per cent of homebuyers saying it was a very important or somewhat important quality.

Some 71 per cent of house seekers say the type of property is important, for example preferring a detached or semi-detached home. This placed in the seventh spot, while whether the local area was 'built up' ranked eighth.

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Proximity to public spaces and parks has plunged six spots in the past year to ninth place.

Notably, square footage of the property plunged three spots to tenth place as the booming race for space seen in the pandemic is over.

The range of local cafes, shops and restaurants is in spot 11, with 67 per cent of people stating it is important.

Age of the property, proximity of good schools and closeness to cultural sites is next.

In the last spot is the potential for extensions and conversions. Just 56 per cent of people say the ability to add an extension was important to them.

While a large property was once the desire for house hunters, as people now crave connectivity and proximity to a thriving town or city as hybrid working remains in full swing, space is the one thing that's been sacrificed for house hunters.

And if they want an extension or loft conversion, they want it ready done.