Newsletter – April 2016 – What’s important to home buyers?


A recent survey of over 1000 Australian home buyers uncovered some very interesting (and kind of funny) results. It ranked the top 10 most desirable features in a new home:

gnome1. Air conditioning: 65%
2. Carport/Garage: 60%
3. Garden/Backyard: 52%
4. Solar panels: 33%
5. Deck/Pergola: 24%
6. Dishwasher: 17%
7. Swimming pool: 17%
8. Built-in barbecue: 4%
9. Water feature: 2%
10. Garden gnomes: 2%

Now I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to pop down the road and buy the barbecue of my choice and a garden gnome if that’s what I really want. But they’re not the kind of features that should be selling homes.

All but two of these are easy to change, add or install.

The features you really should be looking at are:
• Location
• Aspect
• Size
• Noise
• Privacy
• Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and parking

Once you’ve found a property that meets your criteria in these areas, then take a look at the style and condition of the home and all the other features that make the property meet your taste. The styling will go as soon as the current owner vacates so try to look past that.

If you really want to keep your focus on the important features, talk to Elaine Davies. She’s a buyer’s agent and she can help you figure out what’s most important to you and will look for the property to match your needs. She often has access to properties before they’re on the open market, she can do all the legwork and take the emotion out of the negotiation. Elaine can be contacted on 0412 362 133 or email elaine@cohenhandler.com.au. Find out more about Elaine here. The clients we have referred to her have been very happy with her service.

On the flipside, if you’re selling your home, It might just be worth investing in a water feature or getting a proposal for solar panel or air conditioning installation. Even if you don’t install them yourself, giving potential buyers information on what’s possible is always a good tactic.

If we can help with finance, re-finance, investment loans or debt consolidation, please call – or if you’ve got a friend looking for a home loan, please give them my number.

We’re here to help!

Michael Luca
0405 113 543

michael@lovehomeloans.com.au