What qualities do buyers look for in a home? How to increase the price of a home by £20,000

By emphasizing specific aspects of their home, sellers could receive tens of thousands more for their property

We examine factors to take into account for various seasons.

According to recent research, sellers may increase their closing prices by tens of thousands of pounds if they display particular aspects of their house during the appropriate season.

Based on its features, a home's price can vary greatly throughout the year, according to data from UK real estate brokers.

For instance, in the summer, a home with a south-facing garden may fetch 5,832 more. In the winter, however, a wood-burning fireplace could raise the value of your home by £4,568.

According to a study by real estate website Zoopla, sellers can earn tens of thousands more by determining when it is a good time to sell their home, and buyers may discover that it is a good time to buy a home and save a significant sum by buying a home with specific features out of season.

When asked how much they would charge for homes with specific features during the summer (MayAugust) as opposed to other seasons, over 100 UK real estate brokers responded.

The experts' assessments were based on a three-bedroom home, which, depending on the house price index you use, currently has a median asking price of 324,000 in the UK, according to Zoopla data.

"The study unequivocally shows that homebuyers are influenced by the season, and in certain situations, specific features can help sellers achieve more for their home," stated Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla.

Even though it's normal for people to be drawn to features like a gorgeous garden, a refreshing pool in the summer, or underfloor heating in the winter, buyers should keep in mind that these things will also cost them money to maintain, particularly when it comes to energy use. Thus, buyers ought to account for this in their spending plan.

In a different piece, we examine the cost of moving.

Which aspects of a home appeal most to buyers?

In the summer, features like hot tubs and swimming pools can significantly impact the price at which you sell your house. According to the average price of a three-bedroom house in the UK, those who are fortunate enough to have a pool can anticipate an extra 5,897 when selling during the warmer months (an extra 1.82 percent), while a hot tub would add roughly 2,819 (0.87 percent).

A south-facing or sunny garden typically increases the value of your house by 11.8 percent if you sell it during the summer. This translates into an additional 5,832. If a home is sold in the summer, even a balcony raises its value by 4,018 (1.24 percent) over other seasons.

Another highly desired home feature is air conditioning. A home with this should fetch £4,925 more if it is sold in the summer, according to real estate agents (1.152%).

All things considered, a home with a variety of desirable outdoor living amenities, such as a lovely garden, a swimming pool, an outdoor entertainment area, and air conditioning, would fetch about £22,000 more if it were sold in the summer.

In winter, a lot of warming features are also beneficial. For instance, a home with underfloor heating would fetch an extra 3,985 (1 point 23 percent) in the winter, and 3,402 (1 point 05 percent) more if it had good energy efficiency measures.

A warm, classic, wood-burning fireplace also adds 4,568 if it is sold in the winter (1.41 percent). Additionally, an average Aga-style range cooker adds 3,337, or 1.03%.

Why do some aspects of homes increase their value?

These higher prices are a result of homebuyers' preferences; even at any time of year, they are willing to pay more for a home if certain features are in season when they view it.

In a separate survey of 1,000 homeowners, nearly half (48 percent) said they would be willing to pay more for a swimming pool if they were purchasing a home during the summer.

Approximately the same percentage (49 percent) would be willing to pay more for a home with air conditioning, and even more would be willing to pay more for a home with a lovely garden.

Similarly, in the winter, 38% of respondents say they would be willing to pay more for a house with a traditional fireplace, 41% for a house with high energy efficiency, and 26% for a range cooker in the Aga style.

In retrospect, two-thirds (65 percent) of homebuyers who bought their own house in the spring or summer say they were especially drawn to certain aspects of the house. This suggests that the pull is stronger in the summer.

In contrast, approximately half (47 percent) of people who buy a house in the winter stated that certain wintry features were important.

The majority (85%) of people who are attracted to particular features because of the season believe they paid more for the house because of a higher demand, for instance.

Accordingly, 47% of all homebuyers believe that the season in which they bought their house increased their costs by an average of £27,000.

However, 71 percent of all homebuyers believe that listing their home at the right time of year would increase its desirability, so many hope to benefit later.

According to Claire Carter, country house associate director at estate agency John D. Wood & Co., "Features don't always increase value, but they do become more emotionally appealing. For example, a magnificent garden in the summer or a roaring fire on a chilly winter day can definitely influence a buyer's choice.

"The season has a significant impact on presentations," she continued. A house photographed in January, for instance, appears entirely different in May. I always advise my clients to turn on the underfloor heating and light the fire when selling in the winter because no one wants to be cold during a viewing. Summertime is all about showcasing the home with sun-dappled terraces, blooming gardens, and clear skies.