Previously, we wrote an article on how to make your property more attractive to prospective buyers (if you haven’t read that article already, you can do so by clicking here). However, with the help of eye-tracking technology, a study by Anglian Home Improvements has provided an invaluable insight into the viewing habits of prospective buyers and the features of the property that they are most drawn to.
The Decor
In our previous article, we highlighted the importance of having a very neutral decor. This was supported by Anglian, who found that 27% of all behaviour was spent looking at the furnishings and decor in the property that they tested. While your own personal tastes may appeal to some viewers, they may subconsciously dissuade others.
Therefore, when prospective buyers are viewing your property, it is necessary to create a blank canvas to allow them to imagine how their own lifestyle would be a perfect fit.
The Clutter
Additionally, in our previous article, we alluded to the fact that during a viewing, clutter can obscure the best features of your property, as well as make it appear confined and untidy. This coincides with the findings from the Anglian study who reported that 24% of all eye movements lingered on clutter and that when participants scanned a room, their eye-line was often disrupted. This was also the case for personal belongings such as photographs and was especially common among the female participants.
That being said, if you want to avoid any unwanted distractions causing a prospective buyer from seeing the full potential of your property, simply ensure your rooms are clean and tidy and displaying as much clear space as possible.
The Exterior
While it was found that the female participants had a tendency to be distracted by clutter and personal belongings, the Anglian study discovered that male participants were frequently preoccupied with the external features of the property during a viewing. In fact, Anglian found that 32% of male participants tended to focus their gaze on the structure of the home as well as items that may need further maintenance or attention.
This reinforces the points we made in our previous article concerning the exterior of your property; making certain that it is well maintained and that you stay on top of any necessary repairs in order to make your home more attractive to prospective buyers.
The Garden and Surrounding Areas
We’ve established that there are differences in the viewing habits of men and women. However, a common finding among both genders is that they can’t resist a room with a view. For instance, Anglian found that 17% of all the participants’ attention was spent looking through the windows. In addition, they reported that 22% of the participants lingered their gaze on the garden and surrounding areas, often pausing for a significant amount of time to do so. In our previous article, this is an area of the property that we didn’t place too much emphasis on whilst considering what factors could make a home more attractive to perspective buyers.
Thank you to Anglian Home Improvements, whose study made this article possible. If you're looking to make improvements to your home, Anglian Home Improvements has a branch in Birmingham with a range of products, including windows, doors, conservatories, roof trim, cladding and more. You can visit their website here.
And if you require an estate agents in Birmingham, contact Matthews Estate Agents using the contact details below or visit our website here to find out more about us and what we can offer you. Tel: 0121 358 0008 (Lines open Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30) Email: admin@matthewsestateagents.com
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