Prospective homebuyers focus more on beds than boilers
The Guardian|August 08, 2024
A fifth of homebuyers spend less than 20 minutes looking at a home before deciding to make an offer, with viewers more likely to focus on artworks and furniture than structural features, research suggests.
Mahika Ravi Shankar
Prospective homebuyers focus more on beds than boilers

The average time looking around a property before settling on buying it was about 49 minutes, according to a survey of people who have attended viewings in the past five years.

With the latest data from Halifax released yesterday putting the average UK property price tag at £291,268, that equates to just under £6,000 a minute of deciding time.

Of the 2,000 people polled, 28% had only visited a property once before putting in an offer, with the number of viewings averaging 2.1.

Impermanent, cosmetic features appear to draw just as much - if not more attention than home essentials. A quarter of people admitted to looking at pictures of the family who were living in the property, while a similar proportion (24%) check out their home tech.

This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
Do it for Gary Villa mourn 1982 hero on return to European elite
The Guardian

Do it for Gary Villa mourn 1982 hero on return to European elite

Unai Emery has said Aston Villa plan to dedicate victory to Gary Shaw if they beat Young Boys in the Champions League after the 1982 European Cup winner died yesterday aged 63.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024
A new dawn, or just the richest clubs winning in ever more lucrative ways?
The Guardian

A new dawn, or just the richest clubs winning in ever more lucrative ways?

Uefa's new format is not about greater jeopardy, explains Jonathan Liew, but its desire to supplant sporting integrity with the thrills of the TV game show

time-read
6 mins  |
September 17, 2024
"That trophy, the moment lives with you for ever'
The Guardian

"That trophy, the moment lives with you for ever'

As Aston Villareturn to Europe's elite competition, we catchup with some of the squad who won the 198? final

time-read
7 mins  |
September 17, 2024
'I literally just cried. I curled up into a ball'
The Guardian

'I literally just cried. I curled up into a ball'

Tom Curry feared a hip injury would end his career but the Sale and England flanker is back after gruelling recovery

time-read
4 mins  |
September 17, 2024
Higher and higher Villa fans' lame resistance to ticket price greed gives hierarchy free pass
The Guardian

Higher and higher Villa fans' lame resistance to ticket price greed gives hierarchy free pass

If the powers that be at Aston Villa were remotely concerned their decision to charge extortionately high prices for tickets to Champions League home games this season might lead to repercussions in the form of any sort of meaningful fan protest, they were sent a very clear message on Saturday night.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 17, 2024
John Lewis Hopes that former Tesco boss will speed up retail revival
The Guardian

John Lewis Hopes that former Tesco boss will speed up retail revival

Jason Tarry started his first day as chairman of the John Lewis Partnership yesterday with a full in-tray, after his predecessor, Sharon White, handed over control.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024
Blow for Belfast shipbuilding as Harland & Wolff goes bust
The Guardian

Blow for Belfast shipbuilding as Harland & Wolff goes bust

Harland & Wolff, the owner of the Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic, is to enter into administration this week after failing to find new funding, in a blow to UK government hopes of shipbuilding in the city.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024
France's European commissioner quits in row with EU chief
The Guardian

France's European commissioner quits in row with EU chief

France's European commissioner, Thierry Breton, has resigned, citing \"questionable governance\" at the EU executive led by Ursula von der Leyen.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024
Israeli strikes on residential buildings kill 16 in Gaza, officials say
The Guardian

Israeli strikes on residential buildings kill 16 in Gaza, officials say

At least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across central Gaza on Sunday night and yesterday morning, including five women and four children, Palestinian health officials said.

time-read
1 min  |
September 17, 2024
At least 16 dead as 'catastrophic' rain and flooding hit central Europe
The Guardian

At least 16 dead as 'catastrophic' rain and flooding hit central Europe

The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in central and eastern Europe rose to at least 16 yesterday, with several more people missing, as officials reported deaths in the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria, and warned the worst may be yet to come.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024