Homebuyers now rank a fast broadband connection above off-street parking and local amenities when considering a new property, a poll reveals.<\/p>\n
Homebuyers now rank a fast broadband connection above off-street parking and local amenities when considering a new property, a poll reveals.<\/p>\n
Modern movers rely on the internet so much for work and leisure that a good connection speed can even add 5 per cent to a property’s value.<\/p>\n
That adds a staggering 15,000 pounds to the value of a typical 300,000 pounds house.<\/p>\n
Indeed 19 per cent ensure broadband is the first new service they activate when moving in – placing it ahead of gas, 10 per cent, and TV, 8 per cent.<\/p>\n
Electricity is the only utility to be given a higher priority, with 21 per cent seeking a supplier first, the study by broadbandchoices.co.uk found.<\/p>\n
And estate agents have revealed house adverts showing broadband connection speeds secure double the number of viewings.<\/p>\n
One in five homebuyers have checked broadband speeds when evaluating a house before they have even walked around the area.<\/p>\n
And one in ten have rejected a potential new home because it had a poor connection, the study of 2,000 homebuyers found.<\/p>\n
Knowing a property has good broadband speeds is routinely ranked as more important than off-street parking, access to shops and a nearby pub.<\/p>\n
The local road network, public transport and mobile phone signal strength also ranked lower.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, 54 per cent considered broadband speed before moving in but just 37 per cent looked at the crime rate.<\/p>\n
The government recently announced a 114 million pounds investment in key cities to ensure Britain has the fastest broadband in Europe by 2015.<\/p>\n
But speeds currently vary hugely across the country, with the difference having an impact on the property market.<\/p>\n
Miles Shipside, from Rightmove, said: “In this digital age, a fast broadband connection is becoming much more important for home-hunters.<\/p>\n
“People don’t just rely on a good internet connection for web browsing, but also streaming television and working from home.<\/p>\n
“As the consumer technologies which rely on the internet expand, the need for a strong connection will be added to more home mover wish-lists.”<\/p>\n
Independent estate agents Delaney’s, from Braintree, Essex, found adverts displaying broadband speeds secured double the number of viewings in trials.<\/p>\n
And online adverts which included the speed alongside house price and number of rooms attracted 40 per cent more page views than those without.<\/p>\n
Rob Delaney, from Delaney’s, said: “As with good schools and south-facing gardens, people are now on the hunt for homes with fast broadband.<\/p>\n
“It is a sign of the times.<\/p>\n
“But we were still really surprised with the results of our trial.<\/p>\n
“We’re now displaying broadband speeds on all our property details because it’s clearly what customers are looking for.”<\/p>\n
As well as making a property more appealing, the study also revealed broadband could add to the value of a house.<\/p>\n
One in five prospective buyers, 18 per cent, said they would be happy to pay more for a property with a good connection.<\/p>\n
A third claimed they would pay between two and five per cent extra.<\/p>\n
Dominic Baliszewski, from broadbandchoices.co.uk, said: “When it comes to buying a home it seems it’s more a case of broadband, broadband, broadband than location, location, location.<\/p>\n
“Broadband has become something people are not prepared to live without, so it’s little wonder it’s now such a major factor for homebuyers.<\/p>\n
“It’s much like a central heating system or running water.<\/p>\n
“It is very easy to check broadband speeds in a specific area so we’d urge potential home buyers to do this rather than be left disappointed.”<\/p>\n
First-time buyers Charlotte Frost, 24, and Matthew Anderson, 26, dismissed one of their favourite shortlisted properties due to its slow connection.<\/p>\n
Charlotte, from West Byfleet, Surrey, said: “We had looked at numerous houses within Surrey and had fallen in love with a small cottage in Cobham.<\/p>\n
“We thought it was ‘the one’ and were about to sign on the dotted line when my boyfriend asked about the internet connection at the house.<\/p>\n
“The estate agent admitted he didn’t know, so we spoke to both the seller and did independent speed tests online for the postcode and found it was very poor.<\/p>\n
“It was a real shame because it was otherwise perfect.<\/p>\n
“But it was a massive factor for us given that Matthew often works from home.”<\/p>\n
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