Fewer people than ever are buying homes in the UK but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been looking. New research has now revealed the properties that Brits desire the most - with some surprising results.
Despite new builds boasting increased efficiency and a clean, modern look, the Georgian detached home came out as the most popular property style; almost a quarter (23%) stated that they would prefer to live in this type of building than any other, according to a study by poshflooring.co.uk.
However, securing a detached home is difficult; less than a quarter (23%) of all residential builds are detached , and only 1% of ads in the UK are for Georgian properties.
The top five most desirable property styles are:
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Georgian detached 1714-1830 (23%)
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Modern/ new build 1990s (15%)
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Eco--build 2000s (13%)
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Pre-Georgian detached 1660- 1688 (10%)
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Edwardian semi-detached 1901-1910 (9%)
With just 2% of the votes, 1950’s post-war flats are the least desirable style of property to live in. Built originally as a solution to city expansions which threatened surrounding countryside, these buildings are composed of large sections of exposed concrete.
This year will see buyers opting for houses which can be easily extended. Cem Savas, renovation expert and Co-Founder of home services marketplace Plentific.com, said: “Victorian and Edwardian semis offer generously-sized rooms, garages and loft areas which are simple to convert, making them ideal properties for those looking to buy. Properties built in the 80’s also offer large unused spaces, such as garages, which can easily be converted to another room.”
Georgian properties may have come top of the list, however it’s modern features which get the biggest thumbs up from Brits. A walk-in shower proved to be the most attractive interior feature (54%) with underfloor heating (40%) and exposed brick (19%) also making the list.
However, some traditional features remain popular, such as bay windows (49%) and original fireplaces (46%).
Commenting on the research, interior stylist, Anna Straw, said that: “A recently upgraded bathroom will appeal to buyers, and the chic, minimalist, boutique hotel look can easily be achieved with new fittings such as a power shower and impressive showerhead. These relatively low cost upgrades could add as much as 3% onto the house value.”
To find out more about the features you can expect to find in properties through the ages, head to https://www.poshflooring.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-hottest-properties-in-the-uk
Stephen Gillen, Head of Marketing at Posh Flooring says: “While modern features have proven really popular among the nation, it’s important to consider the era and original style of the property when choosing its newer features. Complementing period characteristics with contemporary features, especially flooring, can be tricky but definitely adds to a property’s overall aesthetic.”