Think back to 2016.
Leicester City were Premier League champions, the iPhone 7 had just launched, and if your home had a conservatory and a modern kitchen, many home buyers were impressed.
Fast forward to today and things have changed dramatically. Leicester City’s fortunes are very different, smartphones have evolved beyond recognition, and home buyers expect far more than they did a decade ago.
Back then, floor plans were not always included in property listings, broadband speed was rarely discussed and very few people were thinking about charging an electric vehicle. Today, all three could influence whether someone books a viewing in the first place.
Before they have even picked up the phone, today’s buyers have often compared your property with dozens of similar homes online. They have checked recent sold prices, reviewed the EPC rating, looked at local school performance and probably taken a virtual drive along the street using Google Street View.
By the time they arrive for a viewing, they are not discovering your property. They are deciding whether it matches the expectations they have already formed.
First impressions matter more than ever
Today’s home buyers are not comparing your property with just one or two others. They are comparing it with every similar home currently on the market in your local area.
If the photography is poor, the asking price feels unrealistic or important information is missing, many buyers will simply scroll on without making an enquiry.
That is why professional photography, detailed property descriptions, accurate floor plans and complete information have become essential parts of a successful marketing strategy.
Buyers are looking beyond cosmetic features
Expectations have changed in other ways too.
With higher mortgage costs and the rising price of home improvements, buyers are thinking much more carefully before taking on renovation projects. A property does not need to be perfect, but people want a clear understanding of its condition before making an offer.
Uncertainty often puts buyers off more than the work itself.
Speed influences decisions
We have all become accustomed to receiving information quickly.
If viewing requests go unanswered or buyers have to chase for updates, enthusiasm can disappear surprisingly fast. Responsive communication and efficient service are now just as important as great marketing.
Today’s buyers are better informed
Perhaps the biggest change is how much research buyers complete before speaking to an estate agent.
Ten years ago, many relied on agents to explain local market conditions. Today, home buyers often spend hours researching online before arranging a viewing. They arrive informed, prepared and ready to compare every aspect of a property.
This means selling successfully is no longer about listing a home and hoping for the best.
It is about accurate pricing, professional marketing, honest advice and making it as easy as possible for buyers to say yes.
Selling to today’s home buyers
The way people search for and buy property has changed significantly over the past decade, and the way homes are marketed needs to evolve alongside them.
If you are thinking about selling, choosing an estate agent who understands what today’s home buyers expect can make all the difference.
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We are proud members of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN), a national group of independent estate agents who have been independently assessed against strict standards of honesty, professionalism, customer service and community involvement.
To find out more about what we do, why we achieved EAN accreditation and why we are the only local agency in the network, get in touch today.
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