colin_williams, Author at Williams Of Petersfield

March Ideal Time To List Your Home

Posted on March 5, 2022October 22, 2022 by colin_williams

Given the demand for property in the housing market, there is no bad time to list your house for sale. However, from what we have seen, and what has been said by many specialists in the housing market, we believe March is the ideal time to list your home for sale.

Leading property portal suggests market will be busy in spring

A new study undertaken by Rightmove, which examines property moving data over the last five years (albeit excluding 2020) provides a number of interesting findings:

March is the month of the year when most buyers enquire about property
Around 75% of properties listed for sale are being bought, which compares well with the historical figure of 50%
On average, homes are currently finding a buyer in 39 days
Historically, homes find a buyer, on average, in 59 days
Historically, the number of new properties coming to the market is strongest in March
Even with this, March remains the strongest month to sell because of the high level of buyer demand
April and May are also strong months for sellers in the property market

What does the expert say?

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data, was quoted by Property Reporter as saying; “Spring has long been known as a peak point in the housing market calendar, with many buyers and sellers trying to get into a new home for the summer months. However, this interesting study confirms that for those considering selling this year, March has historically been the best time to come to market on average. For any sellers who might be conscious of coming to market at a time when the number of new listings has traditionally been high, the data shows us that the level of demand in March means sellers are likely to meet with multiple potential buyers competing for their home.”

Tim Bannister concluded by saying; “This spring is certainly shaping up to be a busy one, with buyer demand, new listings coming to market for sale, and valuation requests to estate agents from future sellers all continuing to increase compared to last year. Gardens are likely to be high on the list of priorities for home-movers, as outdoor space continues to be a strong consideration factor when deciding on a next home.”

Study into property completion dates

June was highlighted as the busiest month of the year. Over the past five years, an average of 68,546 property deals are completed in June. This correlates with the property transactions agreed at the start of the year, which we know is a busy time of year.

March was recognised as the second busiest month of the year in the property market. Based on figures over the last five years, an average of 63,547 property transactions were completed in March. This is likely to correlate with property deals agreed before the holiday season making it over the line.

However, if you aren’t ready to move quickly, don’t panic. The study indicates the average number of property deals which are completed each month remains above 50,000 all the way through to December.

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 housing market needs

At Williams of Petersfield, we aim to support the Petersfield community as much as we can, and we know this is an extremely trying time. A lot of people are looking for support and guidance, and if you have any property or housing related questions, we are more than happy to assist you, so contact us today.

Petersfield Homes And Energy Efficiency

Posted on February 22, 2022 by colin_williams

In winter, there is a lot to think about with respect to your home, but it is easy to see why so many people are interested in heating and energy.

At Williams of Petersfield, we are interested in the increasing focus on energy efficiency for homes, and we believe this is something that will become more prominent in the property market.

South East performing well with respect to energy efficiency

The South East of England ranked joint-second in the list of Median energy efficiency score for English regions and Wales, up to March 2021. This was with a score of 67, which was only bettered by London.

According to Government figures, “The median energy efficiency score for dwellings in England was 66 and 64 in Wales for all records up to March 2021, which is equivalent to band D.” This information was taken from the Government’s website: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/energyefficiencyofhousinginenglandandwales/2021

What makes a property energy efficient?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) lists the most significant factors for a property’s energy efficiency are:

The age of the property
The type of fuel used in the property
The property type

It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that homes built since 2012 in England and Wales are likely to be far more energy efficient compared to older property.

These homes are commonly classed as having the highest energy efficiency rating, while just 12% of assessed homes which were built before 1900 in England hold this classification.

Only 42% of assessed property in England holds an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of at least a C. This means close to 60% of all assessed homes will fall below the expected standard, which is a huge concern for the lettings sector.

What do the experts say?

Propertymark’s policy and campaigns manager Timothy Douglas says: “The UK government must take these findings seriously and understand the huge challenge that many landlords face to upgrade property which introduces a real risk of many exiting the sector. To navigate this, they must provide funding and support based on much broader considerations.”

The ONS says: “Controlling for other factors, the age of a dwelling has the biggest impact on its energy efficiency, with newer homes much more likely than older homes to have an EPC rating of C or above. To understand the biggest influences on a home’s energy efficiency, we have used a logistic regression model to assess the impact of different characteristics in isolation (or controlling for other variables). The data used in this analysis only covers homes for which an EPC exists, and therefore doesn’t reflect the entire housing stock.”

The ONS also said; “Newer homes are the most likely to be energy efficient. Almost all dwellings in England and Wales built since 2012 have an EPC rating of C or above, and as such the odds of a house of this age having a high rating are extremely high compared with houses built earlier. Homes built before 1900 were the least likely to have a high efficiency rating.”

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 housing market needs

Is Petersfield Good For First Time Buyers?

Posted on February 17, 2022 by colin_williams

At Williams of Petersfield, we stay in touch with the local housing market (and national market), helping people make their next move. If you are looking for guidance or assistance on any property matter, get in touch, and we will be glad to help.

This is a boom time for first-time buyers, and it is natural for people to question if Petersfield is good for first-time buyers.

How is the market looking for first-time buyers?

According to the Yorkshire Building Society (YBS), there were more than 400,000 first-time buyers in 2021. This is the first time this figure has been breached since the Great Financial Crisis. It is estimated there were 408,379 first-time buyer instructions in 2021. This represents a 35% increase on the 2020 figures, which stood at 303,000.

First-time buyers make up 50% of all property purchases with a mortgage. Back in 2007, these buyers only represented 36% in the overall mortgage market.

The last notable peak with respect to first-time buyers was 2002, and this year saw 531,800 people make their way on to the property ladder. In 2006, there were 400,900 first-time buyers in the market.

After the financial crisis, first-time buyer numbers were around 200,000 (between 2008 and 2012), so the current numbers are around double what they were during that challenging time.

Is Petersfield suitable for first-time buyers?

While the average price of property in Petersfield is higher than what many first-time buyers are looking to pay, it should be remembered that many different sorts of people, from various backgrounds, are classed as first-time buyers.

With Rightmove saying properties in Petersfield had an overall average price of £509,886 over the last year, as of the end of January 2022, this is a higher price than many people would look to pay. However, first-time buyers with support from family members or who have been a success in business or life, might find this area to be perfect when stepping onto the property ladder.

Also, in our dealings in the local area, we have worked with many first-time buyers, so we know there is demand from this group.

This is a good thing, even if you aren’t a first-time buyer yourself. Having new buyers enter the market ensures the cycle keeps moving, and if you’re a homeowner looking to sell your home, it might be that a first-time buyer is your ideal buyer.

What are key factors in the current level of demand for homes?

When it comes to understanding why there is a greater level of demand for property right now, the following factors are all prevalent:

Unemployment figures which are falling
Borrowing is affordable for many people
There is a strong range of affordable mortgage deals with low deposits

What is the average cost of a home for a first-time buyer?

The most recent figures, for October 2021, state the average price of a first-time buyer’s home is £222,997. This represents a 9% increase in the figure from October 2020.

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 housing market needs

Home Improvement Work For 2022

Posted on February 10, 2022February 17, 2022 by colin_williams

With spring approaching, you might feel as though it is time to overhaul your home. Whether you are doing this for your own needs, or to help you sell your home is down to you, but there is a lot to be said in revitalising your home.

If you have one eye on selling your home, we are here to help. Williams of Petersfield has helped to connect buyers and vendors in the local area, and we know the sort of home improvements which appeal to buyers, and which help sell homes.

If you are looking to sell your Petersfield home in 2022, give us a call today.

Many people are looking to change their home this year

GetAgent has carried out a study amongst homeowners, looking at the changes they wish to make to their home in 2022. 69% of people who have bought a property in the last six months intend to carry out home improvements. 52% of respondents said they plan to undertake minor aesthetics around the house. 17% of property owners who responded are committed to a significant project, such as an extension.

What rooms are people most likely to change?

The rooms most likely to be focused on are:

The kitchen, which was the leading option cited by homeowners when discussing makeover plans
The garden was a popular choice when it comes to brightening up a property
Bedrooms were a common option when it comes to freshening a home

The next selections were bathroom, living room and external spaces.

The most commonly cited home improvement task was painting a room, with installing new flooring a close second. Gardening and adding new furniture to the home was also mentioned as likely options. Also, many people intend to add new appliances to their home during the home improvement process.

How much are homeowners willing to spend on improving their home?

33% of respondents said they have a budget of between £500 and £1,000 for home improvements. 11% of homeowners have a budget of at least £20,000.

Colby Short is the founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, and he has been quoted by Property Reporter as saying; “Home improvements are part and parcel of homeownership and January is often the time we sit down and think about what changes we want to make to our home. Whether you’re painting the bedroom or adding an extension, the key to success is planning and determination to follow through with those plans. There will always be some unexpected costs so budgeting a little extra is advised but at the very least you should get a full view of costs and times before undertaking any project to avoid months on end of living in a half-finished house.”

Colby Short concluded by saying; “It’s also important to note that the cost of materials has climbed substantially while the availability of tradespeople has dwindled due to high demand. So you might not be able to get your home improvements sorted as soon as you planned or for the cost you originally expected.”

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 housing market needs

Interest Rate Increases And The Property Market

Posted on January 23, 2022February 4, 2022 by colin_williams

There is a lot to consider at the start of the New Year, but there is also something major in the housing market to consider from the end of last year. The increase in interest rates, as announced by the Bank of England, will impact the housing market.

If you want to make sure that you make informed decisions in the 2022 housing market, call on Williams of Petersfield, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Key takeaways highlighted by Zoopla

Zoopla is one of the leading property portals in the United Kingdom housing market, and they have published their key takeaways regarding the increase in interest rates on their website:

The Bank of England has increased interest rates from a record low of 0.1% to 0.25%
The move means nearly 2m homeowners will have higher monthly mortgage repayments
The increase will add around £14 a month to repayments for someone with a £200,000 mortgage

What are industry experts saying?

Suren Thiru, is the head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, who spoke about the increase in interest rates, saying; “The Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates was surprising, given mounting uncertainty over the economic impact of the Omicron variant. While today’s rate increase may have little effect on most firms, many will view this as the first step in a longer policy movement – not as a partial reversal of last year’s cut.”

Eleanor Bateman, Policy Officer at Propertymark, commented: “The increase in base rate to 0.25% is a small and necessary step and one that most had anticipated for some time. Mortgage rates have been creeping up over the past few months, and while those on variable rates will see payments increase, the cost of borrowing remains low relative to historic levels. Though, traditionally, the winter months see a decline in activity, our Housing Market report shows sustained demand with average sales agreed maintained to the end of October.”

Eleanor Bateman continued by saying; “With indications that lifestyle factors are continuing to prompt many into making a move, we do not expect today’s announcement to have a significant, negative impact on the market. Continuing uncertainties over COVID-19 may, however, have more lasting effects, and we would urge the UK Government to consider the property industry’s significance in any forthcoming decisions on further tightening of pandemic-related measures.”

Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, suggests rates might need to increase further before too long. Paul said; “The MPC once again said that a ‘modest tightening’ of monetary policy is likely to be necessary, so this is not looking like a case of one and done. We still think that weaker economic growth and a faster fall in inflation will mean that interest rates won’t rise to 1% by the end of next year, but it’s just become more likely that they rise above our 0.5% forecast.”

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 property market needs

What Comes Next In The 2022 Housing Market?

Posted on January 14, 2022 by colin_williams

At Williams of Petersfield, we are happy to help as many people as we can in the Petersfield housing market. We have assisted many buyers and vendors, and we know what people are looking for locally.

For the national market, we stay in touch with what is being said by the experts, and this helps us to help you make an informed decision.

What do the experts think will happen in 2022?

Grainne Gilmore from Zoopla was speaking with colleague Richard Donnell (as reported by the Property Industry Eye website), saying; “Richard, our latest house price report reflected what has happened in the market over the past 12 months. Prices are up 7.1% on the year, and 6.6 million homes have risen in value by more than £30,000. This is not what many would have predicted at the start of the pandemic back in March last year.”

Richard responded by saying; “Yes, the market in 2021 has been remarkably busy for agents, considering we are in a global pandemic. But, the pandemic itself has been one of the drivers of buyer demand, with many households taking lockdowns as an opportunity to reflect on where they were living, and the space in which they were living. Add to this the stamp duty holiday, and we have seen transactions rise to 1.5 million – translating into around one in 16 privately-held homes changing hands in 2021.”

What will buyers look for in 2022?

One of the biggest factors in shaping buyer activity in the past couple of years has been the need for space. It is likely that this will continue as we move forward, especially when there is still so much uncertainty over the pandemic.

Grainne said; “The rise of Omicron is causing more uncertainty for the households, and the wider economy, in the coming weeks. Our data shows a slowing in buyer demand, but it is very much in line with the usual seasonal trends. We expect a bounce back in demand in the days following Christmas and into the New Year. However, could Omicron have any impact on supply?”

Richard said; “The housing market is usually busiest in the first couple of months of the year with a spike in new listings as well as a surge in buyer interest. Starting last year with restrictions and schools closed put off many sellers. So long as schools remain open and we don’t see widespread restrictions then we would expect a strong flow of new instructions.”

What other factors will influence the 2022 housing market?

One of the reasons it is so hard to predict what will happen next in the property market is because there are so many factors involved with the process. This is why there is a need to consider as many of the factors that will shape buying processes and supplier demand as we can.

Grainne said; “There will be more economic headwinds next year, but the ‘pandemic-led’ search for space has further to run. Office-based workers will still be recalibrating their working practices and their home life, and some may choose to make a move because they no longer have to live so close to their workplace. This will continue to put upwards pressure on houses situated in wider commuter zones and more rural and coastal areas. There is more room for prices to grow in the more affordable areas, and we forecast average price rises of 4% next year, and 1.2 million transactions, roughly the same level as between 2014 and 2018. How long do you think the pandemic will continue to impact the housing market?”

Richard said; “When we look back at the pandemic in five to ten years we will recognise it marked a major turning point in the link between home and work and people’s attitudes to their home. The pandemic has engendered some seismic changes in how people want to work, and how they will work in the future. This trend has further to run, as more office-based workers decide how far they can live from the office if they do not have to be there every day into 2022 and 2023. Together with other structural factors such as an ageing population, the result should be a greater proportion of homes trading each year, bucking the decline over the last five to ten years and supporting the size of the market for agents and lenders.”

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 housing market needs

Is Petersfield A Good Place To Live?

Posted on January 8, 2022 by colin_williams

At Williams of Petersfield, we are likely to be biased, but we believe Petersfield is a good place to live. If you are thinking about moving in 2022, and you are keen to find a place where you can settle down, this is one of the options you should consider.

What does Petersfield have to offer?

Given that Petersfield is regularly listed as one of the best places to live in the UK, including in the renowned Sunday Times guide, it is no surprise that a lot of people are attracted to the area.

There are many reasons why this location is such a great choice but the regularly markets, the array of independent and boutique stores, and the wide range of events hosted in the town all add up to making a place where people feel safe and happy to stay.

Even during the trying times of the past couple of years, the community spirit of Petersfield has shone through, making this an ideal destination for buyers looking for a brilliant place to settle down.

Also, when you consider the events of the past couple of years, it is easy to see that many people are looking to live in a place with plenty of outdoor space close to home. With this in mind, the impact of Petersfield Heath cannot be overstated. With 69-acres of greenery located so close to the centre of Petersfield, you can enjoy all the open space you desire here!

How is the Petersfield housing market faring in 2022?

According to Rightmove, as we enter 2022, the Petersfield housing market is faring as follows;

“Properties in Petersfield had an overall average price of £509,939 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Petersfield during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £753,499. Terraced properties sold for an average of £370,545, with semi-detached properties fetching £483,978.

Overall, sold prices in Petersfield over the last year were 19% up on the previous year and 17% up on the 2018 peak of £436,809.”

The figures stated above indicate there has been a significant increase in house prices in Petersfield in the past year. While the numbers are genuine, there are many reasons as to why these figures are what they are.

The previous year was a slow moving one for most of the market, and it is no surprise that the market grew sharply. Also, with the Petersfield housing market being a modest one, sometimes a few outliers can have a massive impact on the property market.

Also, with demand outstripping the level of supply in the housing market, it is no surprise that sold prices have increased. This has been the case in many parts of the country.

If you are looking to sell your Petersfield home, please get in touch with Williams of Petersfield, and we will be more than happy to represent you. We are pleased to say we have assisted many vendors in connecting with buyers, and we look forward to assisting you in 2022, and beyond.

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 property market needs

What Features Do Buyers Love In Homes Right Now?

Posted on November 26, 2021 by colin_williams

At Williams of Petersfield, we are always interested in how to add value to a home, and how property can be improved upon.

A study undertaken by MoveStreets, alongside the Post Office, suggests some of the features which are set to add the largest amount of value to a home. It is no surprise to see many of these upgrades sit neatly with the post-pandemic environment.

Home gym is viewed as top addition

A home gym is said to add around 44% in value, and by the average value of property, that equates to £116,267.

This seems a significant rise, and not one that every property owner adding a home gym should expect to benefit from. However, it does suggest that adding a home gym space to your house can make it more appealing to buyers, and will help you generate more money when you sell your house.

Mind you, it is important to note that not all home gyms are of the same standard or calibre. There are some home gyms of a very high standard, and others which are not too inspired. As long as the people using the gym get some form of exercise and activity, it is a good gym, but this doesn’t mean all gyms will add value to a property.

The same can be said for any change made around the home. A swimming pool or extension needs to be a suitable addition to a property, and it needs to be of good quality. If you need advice on what sort of changes you need to make to your property, get in touch, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Other improvements were as follows:

An extension was found to as much as £97,770 based on average property values
A walk-in wardrobe is said to add as much as 34% to the value of your home, and this equates to £89,843
A new kitchen can boost your property value by as much as £69,900
A swimming pool could add £58,000 to the value of your home
Upgrading your garden could boost the value of your property by up to £53,000
Carrying out a basement conversion at your home could increase value by up to £45,000
Converting your loft into a living space could add £28,538 to the value of your home
Installing a conservatory could boost the value of your home by £26,000
Adding or upgrading a driveway could add more than £23,000 to the property value

Adam Kamani, CEO and Co-Founder of MoveStreets, said: “There’s no doubt that the pandemic has changed the way we view our homes and what we consider a valuable addition having spent so much of the last two years within them. Any improvement that adds space is always going to appeal to buyers, however, it’s interesting to see that a space to keep fit now tops the table in terms of the most value-added.”

Will Property Prices Continue Rising?

Posted on November 15, 2021November 16, 2021 by colin_williams

Given that demand for homes is said to be cooling off, a lot of people believe that house prices will start to slow down, and possibly even fall.

At Williams of Petersfield, we are committed to providing you with the best standard of support and guidance we can offer. If you have any questions regarding the Petersfield housing market, please get in touch, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Some experts believe house prices will rise further

Sarah Coles is a personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown believes property prices will continue to rise, even if there is an increase in interest rates later on in 2021 or in 2022.

Sarah said; “Most of the value of the stamp duty holiday was lost at the end of June, so we saw a big surge in average prices in June as people rushed for the deadline and pushed prices up. After this passed, the market took a breath, and prices dropped back slightly in July. Then, in August, the final stamp duty holiday deadline started exerting an influence. And while people could save far less at this point, there was still the psychological effect of the final deadline at the end of September urging them on. Price rises bounced back in August, and there’s every sign they’ll remain strong in September too.”

A rise in interest rates will be something which affects the market, but hopefully not by too much. Sarah also said; “The banks are currently prepared to increase their exposure to risk in a way they would be wary of, if they thought prices would fall. So, for example, HSBC has increased limits on how much wealthy buyers can borrow. Those with incomes of £75,000 or more can now borrow five and a half times their income – up from five times – and there’s every chance other banks will follow suit.”

The market is currently robust

Nationwide suggests, in their most recently published guides, that property prices have increased by 0.7% on a month-on-month basis. The non-seasonally adjusted average price of property stands at £250,311. Annual house price growth was 10% in September 2021, but for October 2021, the figure stands at 9.9%, so there has been a minimal reduction.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “Annual house price growth remained elevated in October at 9.9%, albeit marginally lower than the 10.0% recorded in September. Prices rose 0.7% in month-on-month terms, after taking account of seasonal effects. The price of a typical UK home has now passed the £250,000 mark, an increase of £30,728 since the pandemic struck in March 2020. Demand for homes has remained strong, despite the expiry of the stamp duty holiday at the end of September. Indeed, mortgage applications remained robust at 72,645 in September, more than 10% above the monthly average recorded in 2019. Combined with a lack of homes on the market, this helps to explain why price growth has remained robust.”

Will Asking Prices Fall In Property Market?

Posted on November 8, 2021November 16, 2021 by colin_williams

At Williams of Petersfield, we want you to make informed decisions when it comes to the housing market. With many people expecting demand for homes to fall, it might be that asking prices will fall. Whatever happens next, you can rest assured we are here for you, and ready to help you make informed decisions.

According to Rightmove, as of November 2021, house prices in Petersfield are as follows;

“Properties in Petersfield had an overall average price of £507,872 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Petersfield during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £746,234. Terraced properties sold for an average of £366,811, with semi-detached properties fetching £479,280.

Overall, sold prices in Petersfield over the last year were 16% up on the previous year and 16% up on the 2018 peak of £436,809.”

A study undertaken by MoveStreets highlights the following points:

The average asking price on major property portals stands at £296,950
The average sales price stands at £258,464
This means there is a gap of 13% or £38,486 when it comes to asking prices versus sales prices

Regional variations exist when it comes to overpricing

As you would expect, there is a bigger gap in London!

The average asking price stands at £833,944
The average sales price is £494,673
This is a difference of 41%, or £339,321

Other gaps across the country are as follows:

The South West, there is a difference of 24% between asking price and sales price
The South East features a difference of 23% between asking and sales price
In Wales, the difference between asking and sales price is 21%
In the East Midlands, there is a gap of 21% between the asking and sales price
For the North East, the gap between asking and sales price is 21%
In the West Midlands and the North West, there is a gap of 20% between the asking and sales price
Scotland stands apart, with the gap between asking and sales price standing at 4%

Adam Kamani, CEO and Co-Founder of MoveStreets, commented: “We’ve seen an incredibly hot market of late and despite the end of the stamp duty holiday, high levels of buyer demand and low levels of available stock continue to see properties fly off the shelf at pace and for a very good price. However, it’s clear that even in current conditions, many sellers are listing their homes at an over-optimistic price point, no doubt in an attempt to take advantage of the market boom.”

Adam Kamani concluded by saying; “This can be detrimental to your sale regardless of how the market is performing and can result in months of little to no interest in your home. It’s the responsibility of the listing agent to guide sellers and set these expectations. While some will value a home at a higher price point to win business, a difference of ten to hundreds of thousand pounds above market value is perhaps a little too far.”

Still Looking For Your Dream Home?

Posted on October 27, 2021November 1, 2021 by colin_williams

What is your dream home? At Williams of Petersfield, we are committed to helping people make the most of their property ambitions. If you have a dream home, we are here to assist you any way that we can.

As we have found in many studies in the past 18 months, people are looking for detached homes. Buyers want space, and this means this style of house is a priority for many. Some of the key requests made by buyers looking for a new home include:

Two living rooms
A garage
A garden
A utility room

For buyers aged between 18 and 34, a home office is the top priority when it comes to an additional room. It is only when you consider the needs of buyers aged 65 or older that conservatories feature. This age group is also looking for a bungalow more than a larger home.

For buyers aged between 18 and 24, a dining room is important, while for buyers aged between 25 and 44, a third bathroom is a top priority.

What supermarket comes out on top?

When asked what supermarket people want close to their home, Tesco nudged past Waitrose by a mere 1%.

There is of course a Waitrose in Petersfield, located at 8 Rams Walk, Petersfield GU32 3JA. For Tesco, we have the Tesco Superstore at The Causeway, GU31 4JR while there is also the Tesco Express store, located at 11 Charles St, GU32 3EJ.

Looking at all property listings on Rightmove, Tesco is the supermarket that is mentioned most by estate agents in listings, followed by Waitrose. Waitrose does over-index though when you consider how many more stores Tesco has around Great Britain.

People love a pint

The most important establishment property buyers want close to their home is a pub! The order of vital establishments were as follows:

Pub
Local corner shop
Coffee shop
Local market
Bakeries
Restaurants
Local greengrocers
Local butchers

Some of the finest pubs in Petersfield include The Old Drum, The Good Intent, The Square Brewery, George Petersfield and The Half Moon.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert comments: “The study paints a fascinating picture of what a ‘dream home’ really means to people. Usually, you might think a dream home is a mansion with swimming pools and other luxuries, but the British sense of thinking practically comes through very clearly with garages, utility rooms and home offices the order of the day. Perhaps it’s the thought that if you have a dream home you want to make sure you’re going to make use of everything. Rather than choosing an outdoor swimming pool only to realise you can only use it a few weeks of the year, you think of a utility room that you know you’ll be using every day.”

Tim Bannister continued by saying; “Earlier this year detached homes hit over half a million pounds nationally for the first time, aided by increased demand for more space. This means that many people looking to move right now are likely to be looking for a smaller home, but some will have their mindset on how they could eventually achieve the four-bed detached home with a garden. Others will be thinking about what living the coastal life in a cottage could be like, and for some that will mean their daily search on Rightmove turns into picking up the keys to their new life a few months down the line.”