Homebuyers still value traditional property features the most

Research by the new home specialists, Stone Real Estate, has revealed that new-build homebuyers still value traditional property features the most when it comes to their homebuying hitlist.

Stone Real Estate surveyed new-build homebuyers across the UK to see what they rated as the most important factors when checking out a development for potential purchase.

New-build developments offer above and beyond additional benefits compared to existing housing stock, such as a concierge, aftercare team and onsite amenities, but despite this, the most in-demand feature was private or shared green space in which to relax – the most important for 30% of buyers.

A car parking space ranked as the second most important factor nationally (21%), followed by the availability of amenities within the development (13%), with a close transport link ranking fourth (12%).

High-speed internet (7%) and a good school catchment (6%) were also important, while things like a gym in the development, top of the range appliances, shared social areas, a concierge, aftercare team and perhaps surprisingly, the developer paying the stamp duty, ranked as less important for new-build homebuyers.

However, in London, while green space was the second most important factor, the close proximity of a good transport link topped the table (31%), with parking ranking third (11%), amenities within the development the fourth most important feature (8%) and the property coming with new appliances (7%), a good school catchment (5%) and the developer covering stamp duty also ranking highly (5%).

It’s always important to know that your home is secure, check out the locksmith boss Dublin.

Founder and CEO of Stone Real Estate, Michael Stone, commented:

“We’ve seen a great shift in the new-build sector whereby developers are placing more focus on the lifestyle and well-being of new-build buyers, providing spaces for them to work, relax, stay fit and socialise, with an emphasis on convenience.

As a result, buyers are now searching for the right lifestyle fit for them and not just the right property and this level of innovation by developers in order to remain competitive and stand out from the crowd has resulted in homebuyers getting much, much more for their money.

However, while these additional features are great, this research demonstrates that first and foremost, buyers are looking for the core factors in a development such as good transport links, green space, nearby amenities and car parking availability. These traditional factors should act as the backbone of all new-build developments to which a developer can hang the bells and whistles of a concierge service, an aftercare team and so on.”

UK
Factor
Percentage of respondents
Private or communal green space to relax in
30
Car parking facilities
21
Amenities within the development
13
Close to a good transport link
12
High-speed Wi-Fi
7
A good school catchment
6
Top of the range appliances
5
Stamp duty paid for by the developer
3
A fitness outlet like a gym or swimming pool
1
Other shared social areas e.g. cinema room
1
Concierge
1
Aftercare team
0
London
Factor
Percentage of respondents
Amenities within the development
8
Top of the range appliances
7
Stamp duty paid for by the developer
5
A good school catchment
5
Close to a good transport link
31
High-speed Wi-Fi
3
Private or communal green space to relax in
26
Car parking facilities
11
A fitness outlet like a gym or swimming pool
2
Other shared social areas e.g. cinema room
1
Concierge
1
Aftercare team
0

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Homebuyers face longer buying timelines

The latest research from Lyons Bowe suggests the homebuying process could become even slower in 2026: as the number of conveyancers operating across the UK is thought to have fallen by almost -13% while transaction volumes rise, placing further pressure on completion timelines. Lyons Bowe has analysed data on the number of active conveyancers in…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 1/4/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Winning the AI Era: A Playbook for UK Estate Agencies The AI-Driven Rewiring of UK Estate Agency Thought Leadership by Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR Real estate has historically been conservative, fragmented, and inefficient. A surge of startups, is introducing automation, data-driven decision-making, and better customer experiences. This…
Read More
Breaking News

What renters and landlords need to know ahead of major rental law changes

With just one month to go until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, the leading professional body, Propertymark, is urging renters and landlords across England to understand how the changes could affect them. From 1 May 2026, the legislation will introduce some of the biggest changes to the private rented…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Tackling Empty Properties

A UK Perspective on Best Practice and Recommendations for Reform Propertymark, the UK’s leading professional body for property agents, has today published a comprehensive new position paper highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, practical and properly resourced action to bring long-term empty properties back into use. With over 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than…
Read More
Breaking News

Pet-friendly rentals plunge 39%

New research from Inventory Base reveals that the number of pet-friendly rental homes in England has fallen by -39% since the start of 2026, as landlords appear to be reducing the number of homes openly marketed as allowing pets ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect from 1st May. The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA)…
Read More
Breaking News

Latest Nationwide house price data showing a 2.2% increase

Industry reaction to Nationwide house price data showing UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “An uplift in house prices will be welcomed by the market and suggests that buyer demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic headwinds. Improved sentiment, coupled with…
Read More