Broadband and mobile phone connections were given as the most important factor by homebuyers when choosing a new property, according to a new survey.

Good transport links have also climbed up the list of homebuyers’ priorities as businesses push to reverse the the Work From Home trend.

The square footage of a property, on the other hand, has become less important as priorities shift in the post-Covid pandemic climate, according to research from bridging loan and buy-to-let mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions.

Covid comparison

Repeating an identical survey from 2021, during the pandemic, MFS asked the homebuyers which factors they considered important during their property hunt.

Broadband and mobile connectivity were cited by 82% of homebuyers as ‘important’ or ‘very important’, replacing the garden and/or outdoor space (76%) as the single most important factor.

A property’s proximity to public spaces and parks (74%) is up one place, alongside the quality and finish of the property (74%), which also shares the third-place spot.

Transport links

Interestingly, the factor that has risen the most in the list is transport links (74%), which has jumped eight places from 14th to joint third.

Conversely, the factor that has fallen the most is the potential for extensions and conversions (62%), dropping from eighth to fourteenth.

Our research shows there have indeed been some interesting shifts back to pre-Covid times.”

Paresh Raja, CEO of Market Financial Solutions, said: “Homebuyers’ priorities changed radically during the pandemic. But the speculation was whether those changes were temporary or permanent – and our research shows there have indeed been some interesting shifts back to pre-Covid times.

“The increased importance of transport links clearly indicates changing work patterns, with more people needing properties in well-connected areas as fully remote work becomes less common.”