Blog | Local Area | Selling & Buying

What Local Buyers Are Looking For...

If you’re planning on selling your home one of our local areas, buyers aren’t shy about what they’re looking for right now. Our local market trends and major property portals’ data all point to the same answers.

Read on to find out the top ten features buyers want right now.

1) Immaculate presentation — first impressions still count

Leading property portal Rightmove reports a premium for properties with are photo-ready, which is something we always encourage our clients to do.

Buyers are browsing quickly; homes that photograph well and show as move-in-ready attract more viewings and quicker offers. That means decluttered rooms, neutral styling, and attention to small repairs (fresh paint, tidy skirting boards, sparkling bathrooms).

Local tip: Vendors who stage to a neutral, modern look are seeing more pre-emptive offers from commuters and families locally.

2) A great kitchen

A contemporary, practical kitchen remains one of the highest-impact investments for saleability. Buyers prize layout, storage, worktop space and how the kitchen connects to living space. Even modest upgrades (new handles, re-grouted tiles, good lighting) can change perception.

Local tip: In family-focused Hart and Rushmoor postcodes, an open-plan or family-friendly kitchen/diner can often seal the deal on a home sale.

3) Outdoor space and usable outbuildings

Since 2020 the desire for gardens hasn’t faded. Buyers want a space for children, pets and entertaining. With the average home, size matters less than usability (flat lawn, terrace, privacy), whilst well-maintained outdoor space is consistently highlighted as a major selling feature.

Local tip: Given busy commuter lifestyles, North Hampshire buyers often look for south-facing gardens or low-maintenance layouts, such as paved terraces with raised flower beds.

4) Commuter credentials

Ease of commute to London or regional employment centres is a big driver in our areas. Properties with quick walking routes to stations (or short drives to motorway links) attract buyers prepared to pay a more, particularly professionals commuting to London or Farnborough’s business parks.

Local tip: Many of our local areas tick both the town-amenity and commuter-box, with direct train journeys to London Waterloo, along side accessibility to major roads and the M3.

5) Good schools and family-friendly neighbourhoods

School catchment and local family amenities still heavily influence buyers with children. Areas known for reliable primary/secondary choices and safe neighbourhoods are commanding stronger interest.

Local tip: Family homes with schools offering high Ofsted ratings and after-school clubs nearby, as well as play areas, always prove popular with families searching for their next home.

6) Flexible space & home working options

A clear workspace or flexible room rates highly. Buyers like having a spare bedroom that can double as an office, or a distinct study nook. Homes advertised with “work from home” possibilities draw added attention.

Local tip: Even a simple desk zone staged into a spare bedroom can sometimes justify a quicker sale to hybrid workers.

7) Energy efficiency & running costs

Energy performance matters — insulation, double glazing, and modern boilers (or heat-pump readiness) are increasingly influential as buyers think about bills and resale value. Sellers who can show recent EPC improvements find their properties more attractive, building trust in the buyer.

Local tip: We’d recommend talking with your nearest agent before making improvements aimed at increasing your property value.

8) Parking and easy access to services

Secure parking with a driveway or garage, plus short walks to shops, cafés and health services add real value; especially for older buyers and families who value convenience. Properties along the fringes of village and town centres that combine good parking often sell well.

Local tip: Camberley’s town centre regeneration means some buyers prioritise short walks to retail/leisure while still wanting private parking.

9) Value for money and realistic pricing

According to Zoopla, buyer demand has risen this year and at Mackenzie Smith, we’ve seen the increase, too. Overall, well-priced and well-presented homes are selling the fastest, whilst over-priced listings are stagnating online.

Local tip: We’d always recommend listening to agent advice on pricing when selling your home. With an extensive range of data at their finger tips support their knowledge about local properties, they can help you achieve the best possible return on the sale of your home.

10) Lifestyle extras, including outdoor leisure, cafés, greenbelt access

Buyers increasingly factor in lifestyle: proximity to green spaces, cafés, independent shops, and leisure facilities (gyms, pools, local theatre). In Surrey and North Hampshire, access to countryside and local high-street amenities can be the tiebreaker between comparable properties.

Local tip: Our local areas offer desirable lifestyle locations, with beautiful countryside and lively town centres often a short drive from our local properties or right on the doorstep.

The fundamentals haven’t changed. Buyers want homes that are easy to move into, in the right place and ready for modern life. Locally, North Hampshire and Surrey combine commuter convenience, reputable schools and access to beauty spots, with the accurately priced, well-presented properties being the ones attracting the most attention this year.

If you’d like to book a valuation click here, or feel free to contact your nearest branch for advice. We have eight branches across North Hampshire and Surrey, so just click on the required location for our contact details: Camberley, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Farnborough, Fleet, Hartley Wintney, Hook and Yateley.

Pictured Photo; Shapley Grange, Hartley Wintney. To find out more, click here.

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