What are the key selling points of a home in 2022?

If you are looking to move home this year, you are likely to have a wish-list of the features you want most in your next home. At Spencers New Forest the most sought-after features are highlighted within our property listings to make them easy to spot. However, what we want from our homes has changed considerably in the past decade compared to even 10 years ago! As working patterns have changed, optimising the space in our homes is more important than ever. And there is a move towards greener home features, too. Garden offices, orangeries, summer houses, underfloor heating, bi-fold doors and open-plan rooms have all surged in popularity. While conservatories, greenhouses, separate dining rooms and fitted wardrobes all appear to be on the declining in popularity.

Here are some of the features that are attracting potential buyers in 2022.

The Garden office

Features like an outdoor office space have soared dramatically as working patterns have changed particularly post pandemic where many businesses have a flexible approach to working from home. Rightmove is reporting that the proportion of property listings that mention them is now eleven times higher than a decade ago. That is a whopping increase of 1046% These new multi-purpose spaces are fully equipped with mains electric, their own air-conditioning systems, and of course, WIFI.

Bi-fold doors

Bi-fold doors are second on the list according to Rightmove, up by a huge 589% compared with 10 years ago. A highly sought-after feature for buyers as they enable people to use their space flexibly and extend their living space seamlessly into the outdoors.

Open-plan layouts

Open-plan living continues to have a resurgence, as flexible space is prioritised. Rightmove suggests that homeowners are swapping separate dining rooms for more modern open-plan layouts, or home office space. Separate dining rooms can often become unused or used just for special occasions. Dining room mentions in property listings on Rightmove are down by 28%, while open-plan mentions are up 74%.

Orangeries and summer houses

Orangeries, summer houses, BBQ Cabins and outdoor kitchens are also on the rise. Orangeries are an ideal brick-built home extension as they have windows, but not as much glass as a conservatory. An orangery provides flexible space. For instance, you could set it up as a home gym, an office, or a playroom by day, and a snug in the evenings.

But what will home buyers of the future be looking for? Moving forward the future for our homes has got to be greener. So, features such as underfloor heating, smart home tech, solar panels, and heat pumps will increase in popularity.

Making homes greener is a critical part of helping the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050. The government is aiming to get as many residential homes as possible up to an EPC rating of C by 2035.