New kitchen is key influencer for home buyers

A new survey has revealed that when looking to buy a new property, a new kitchen is the most effective home improvement for influencing a potential buyer’s final decision.

The online study from home services marketplace Plentific.com was conducted by Opinium Research on January 17 using 2,001 adults.

Some 47% of potential homeowners said they would be influenced by a recently fitted kitchen, while 28% would also be more likely to offer a higher price for this feature.

A new bathroom is also has a strong influence: 47% admitted it would affect their decision to buy, while 27% agreed it could warrant a higher price

New windows (45%) ranked third, followed by a new boiler (43%), a new extension (34%), new loft insulation (33%) and a new conservatory (31%).

New garden landscaping (29%) came next and new lighting (23%) was at the bottom of the table.

The findings differ when this order is compared to how home improvements affect the buyer’s decision to offer a higher price. New extensions climb the rankings to take third pace with 26%, while a new conservatory is also ranked highly at 23%. The results suggest extensions to the property clearly have a strong influence on the offer.

Plentific spokesperson Stephen Jury said: “Many potential property buyers keep an eye out for particular home renovations when searching for their next home.

“It goes without saying that costly renovations are high on the wish list for most buyers. These can add significant value to a property and incentivise buyers to offer a higher price. If a seller is looking to get a better offer, our insight could provide useful guidance on which home improvements to invest in.”