As the traditional Easter house hunt begins, home-owning is seen as one of the building blocks of our lives. But what are our actual attitudes to becoming homeowners? A new survey Barratt Homes investigated the buying habits of 2,275 people looking to buy new homes in the UK. So, how are things changing?
The importance of home buying
The three cornerstones of 'getting on with life' are marriage, children and property. Home-owning came out on top; with 83% of those surveyed rating it as 8/10 or above. This can be compared to 61% and 55% rating marriage and having children, respectively, at 8/10.
The barriers to home-ownership
In 2011, raising the money required for a
deposit was seen as the biggest obstacle to buying property, however, with deposits and mortgages now becoming easier to obtain, attitudes are changing. In 2012, many saw the biggest barrier as being able to find a suitable property.
The deposit
Raising the deposit may be becoming easier, but there will always be the requirement for first-time buyers to build up a savings pot. For Londoners a deposit of GBP42,004. was needed to get on the first rung of the ladder. With new initiatives just announced in the Budget, could this figure drop in 2013?
Choosing the perfect home
It appears we may be becoming more picky when it comes to home buying. But what exactly are we looking for? The top of the wish list is off-road parking followed by an en-suite bathroom. Men were more likely than women to see renewable energy as a factor, and a low maintenance garden was more important for the over 55s.
Opting for a new build
More of us are now turning to a new home as the ideal living space, with many factors behind the decision including low maintenance, increased energy efficiency and a warranty or guarantee on building and fixtures. Attitudes in home buying may be changing but the desire to be a homeowner isn't.
See the
survey in full.
Choosing the perfect home
It appears we may be becoming more picky when it comes to home buying. But what exactly are we looking for? The top of the wish list is off-road parking followed by an en-suite bathroom. Men were more likely than women to see renewable energy as a factor, and a low maintenance garden was more important for the over 55s.
Opting for a new build
More of us are now turning to a new home as the ideal living space, with many factors behind the decision including low maintenance, increased energy efficiency and a warranty or guarantee on building and fixtures. Attitudes in home buying may be changing but the desire to be a homeowner isn't.
See the survey in full.
