Home patrons remorse widespread mistake when home searching – as high 40 priorities revealed

Four in ten home buyers wish they’d taken more seriously when viewing properties – with many prioritising aesthetics instead

Half of house hunters confess they can’t see beyond the visual appeal of a new property – but have later regretted paying little or no attention to the energy rating.

A poll of 1,000 adults who have moved within the past five years found that the most common factors people considered when hunting for a property to buy or rent were size and garden space, followed by local facilities, broadband access and decent neighbours. However 38% admitted they wished they had taken energy-saving features more seriously when first viewing a home.

Having a driveway and internal storage space ranked higher than checking whether the property had a reliable heating system and top-quality insulation. The EPC rating was equally dismissed as a priority.

The study, commissioned by British Gas, found that the time of year affects what people focus on when moving house.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they would be likely to check the heating system in winter, compared with just 39% in summer. Likewise, 64% would inspect the boiler in winter, versus 44% in summer.

Peter Knowles, a service and repair engineer at British Gas, recognised that relocating can be overwhelming given the vast amount to think about. However, he warned that people should always evaluate the energy efficiency of a new property before making a decision.

He said: “While we understand how important the aesthetics and kerb appeal of a property are, it’s concerning to see that these factors often come above energy efficiency when deciding on a new home.”

He pointed out that checks should examine the quality of insulation throughout the property, the condition of the boiler and heating system, and the overall EPC rating. “Prioritising these checks can help avoid large, costly repairs down the line while also reducing bills in the long term,” he added.

The study also revealed 36% lack confidence when it comes to inspecting heating systems in the first place. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they sought a second opinion on a property due to this lack of confidence, turning to their partner of friends in a trade for advice.

While the research suggests home movers often place more importance on cosmetic factors than energy efficiency, 71% of those polled said the eco factors of a property have become more important to them in the past decade.

Almost two thirds (64%) would even pay more for a place which is already energy efficient.

TOP 40 PRIORITIES WHEN MOVING HOME:

1. Property size
2. No signs of mould/damp
3. Garden size
4. Double glazed windows
5. Local amenities nearby
6. A driveway
7. Plenty of parking space
8. Decent neighbours
9. Internal storage space
10. Natural lighting/ big windows
11. Broadband availability
12. Age and condition of the roof
13. Quality heating system
14. A garage
15. Multiple toilets
16. The distance from the property to their place of work
17. Suitable for pets
18. EPC rating
19. High quality insulation
20. A recently serviced/ installed boiler
21. Future development plans nearby
22. Having a bus stop nearby
23. Combi-boiler fitted
24. Extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
25. External storage space
26. Energy-efficient fitted appliances
27. A recently updated fuse box
28. School catchment area
29. Characteristic/ original features
30. Recently renovated
31. A boarded loft
32. Low-energy heating system installed
33. UPVC front door
34. Smart thermostat compatibility
35. Solar panel installation
36. Open plan layout
37. A clear fire escape
38. LED lighting
39. Electric vehicle charging point installed
40. Colour of the front door