Posts with tag: broadband

Priorities of homebuyers are changing

Published On: June 8, 2017 at 11:49 am

Tags: broadband,home features,location,property

Fresh research from GoCompare Home Insurance has revealed that the importance of ‘location, location, location’ for property hunters is on the decline.

Instead, the survey indicates that when choosing a property, the focus is now moving to a good broadband connection.

Changing Values

The report uncovered that the most desirable features for homebuyers are a good neighbourhood, with low crime rates and good access to shops, schools and GP.

In addition, the survey discovered would-be homebuyers are increasingly valuing superfast broadband, a good mobile-phone signal and satellite TV.

The top-ten most desirable home location and facilities features were found to be:

Most desirable home location/facilities	%
1	A good area or neighbourhood	66
2	An area with a low crime rate	59
3	Good proximity to local shops	51
4	Near a good GP or dentist surgery	44
5	A good, reliable broadband connection sufficiently strong to stream TV and films	43
6	Reliable and clear mobile phone signal	42
7	Superfast broadband	39
8	A land-line telephone	33
9	Bus, tram or underground stop nearby	31
10	Satellite TV	27

Priorities of homebuyers are changing

Changing Factor

Ben Wilson, from GoCompare Home Insurance, noted: ‘Location will always be a key factor for homebuyers. After all, while you can improve a property – you can’t move it. But it is too simple these days to say that it is the only consideration. Homeowners also expect to be connected in a way that wasn’t envisaged even 10 years ago. They will want to know about the transport infrastructure and communications as much as the schools, shops and amenities.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/property/connection-is-the-new-location.html

Broadband and Wi-Fi now essential for home buyers

Published On: November 25, 2016 at 9:58 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: broadband,Buy-to-Let,investors,property,technology

The latest buyer survey from Knight Frank has revealed that a superfast broadband connection or good mobile connection are becoming essentials for would-be property purchasers.

In fact, these features have passed those such as a good view!

Technological advances

Oliver Knight, Associate at Knight Frank Research, noted: ‘In an age of Wi-Fi, tablets and streaming, it is unsurprising that fast and reliable internet access is seen as a necessity among home movers.’[1]

‘Technology improvements, including fast, reliable internet have meant that working from home is a viable option for many, potentially cutting down on both commuting time and costs. This is likely to be particularly relevant for buyers in more rural property markets,’ he continued.[1]

Alongside looking at what buyers prefer in their property search, the survey also investigates what impact the stamp duty surcharge has had on budgets.

Results show that while 47% of people would be more likely to purchase a property with good internet connectivity, 41% have reduced their budget due to stamp duty. 14% are planning to stay in their property longer as a direct result of the changes.

Broadband and Wi-Fi now essential for home buyers

Life quality

In addition, the survey found that quality of life was the top motivating factor for property buyers, followed by up or downsizing. 30% of those questioned said that their preferred location for their next home is in a city. 25% of respondents said they were looking in a village, while 19% preferred the country.

Security and privacy were unsurprisingly the most important considerations when buying a new property.

Oliver Knight concluded by saying: ‘The wholesale reforms to stamp duty announced in December 2014, and subsequent introduction of a 3% surcharge for individuals purchasing additional properties, have succeeded in making buyers more price sensitive, and this has been factored in to asking prices and offers.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/household/is-good-broadband-essential-for-a-good-view.html

Internet connection now considered essential for tenants

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 11:19 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: broadband,internet connectivity,landlords,rental market,tenants

An interesting new survey has revealed that a reliable and affordable internet connection is one is the most important features that tenants look for when searching for a new property.

For many millennials, a good broadband connection is imperative, whether for work, study and entertainment reasons.

Essential

Research from LivingCom shows that high-speed internet is an essential component of renting a property. 96% said that a lack of internet when moving into a property is cause for massive frustration.

In fact, the survey shows that sub-standard connectivity can have a detrimental impact on rental values. Tenants will be harder to attract and of course, harder to retain. Three-quarters of young professionals questioned said that the are more inclined to rent a pre-installed internet service.

Paul Eaton, commercial manager at LivingCom, commented: ‘77% of young professionals own three or more internet-ready devices, so connectivity is key for the millennial movers and within three in four of this market lacking the funds to buy their own property, the private rental sector should be ensuring high-speed Wi-Fi and internet based services are delivered as an essential amenity, as soon as possible.’[1]

‘With 83% of 25 to 30 year olds having to wait more than a week to be connected in their new homes, it’s clear that high-speed internet connectivity needs to become an essential part of property development and a priority for landlords,’ he continued.[1]

Internet connection now considered essential for tenants

Growing importance

Alternative research from Gocompare.com Broadband has indicated that a number of Britons see a good internet connection as more important than heating!

76% of people asked now view broadband as an essential utility, with 36% saying that they could not live without it. One if five people said that they would not buy or rent a home if there was a poor connection.

23% of 18-24 year olds said that they would go without heating for a week in favour of broadband. 15% said they would go cold for a month!

Ben Wilson of Gocompare Broadband noted: ‘These figures highlight just how important the internet has become in our daily lives, with the majority of people now considering it an essential utility like energy or water.’[1]

‘The internet has quietly become a vital part in many people’s day-to-day lives and as such it’s now more important than ever to make sure you’re with right provider at the right price.’[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/11/good-internet-connection-now-considered-vital-by-renters

Superfast broadband for all new homes in Britain

Published On: February 8, 2016 at 10:20 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: broadband,homebuyers,Openreach,UK housing

A new agreement between the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and internet provider Opeanreach is set to deliver superfast broadband to new build homes in Britain.

Fast internet connection is becoming one of the must haves for would-be homebuyers in the UK and the new partnership is set to see this become standard in new properties.

Deal

The deal will see fibre based broadband made available to all new developments, for free or as a part of a funded initiative. It is thought that more than half of all new-build homes will be connected to the broadband free of charge for developers.

In addition, Openreach is looking to introduce an online planning tools for new homebuilders. The tool will tell them if properties in a certain development can be connected to fibre for free, or if a subsidiary contribution is required to help fund the activation of the local fibre network.

The housing industry will be able to access a rate card from Openreach, which will detail the fixed cost contributions that are required by homebuilders. Openreach said that it will make a significant contribution itself before looking for additional funds from developers.

Additionally, the Home Builders Federation pledged to promote and support the uptake of co-funding amongst their existing members.

Superfast broadband for all new homes in Britain

Expectations

‘Broadband connectivity is just one thing that home buyers now expect when buying a new build, so the industry-led push to make superfast, or indeed ultrafast, broadband specials available by default in new homes represents a very important step in meeting the UK’s digital needs,’ noted Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey.[1]

Clive Selley, chief executive officer of Openreach, believes that the agreement is a positive step in bringing fibre broadband to as many homes as possible. Selley said, ‘we recognise that high-speed broadband connectivity is a major factor for home owners when deciding to buy a house. That’s why we’re offering to deliver fibre to all new build developments either for free or as a co-funded model.’[1]

‘With the support of the HBF we’ve delivered a series of measures to give developers greater clarity, choice and more funding. This underlines Openreach’s commitment to further extend its fibre network, which reaches more than 24 million premises, to benefit even more communities across the country,’ he added.[1]

Growth

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF, observed that it will help reach home buyers expectations. He said, ‘house builders are constantly striving to deliver on and surpass the expectations of customers as we continue to see housing supply grow.’[1]

‘Broadband speeds are an increasingly important factor in the home buying process and this offer to developers will see more build purchasers benefit from the very best connectivity to go alongside the many other advantages of purchasing a brand new home,’ Baseley concluded.[1]

[1] http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/uk-new-homes-broadband-2016020811529.html