Buyers' search behavior in overheated housing market

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically transformed homebuyers' priorities, favoring properties with nature access, private outdoor space, and additional rooms for home offices. As the housing market faces immense pressure, buyers are expanding their search areas and adapting to new needs, making it crucial to understand these evolving trends and ensure thorough inspections before purchasing.

Homebuyers are searching for a new home very differently these days than before. This is mainly due to the coronavirus crisis combined with the enormous shortage in the housing market. Having a building inspection performed is always recommended. This remains unchanged.

If you're looking to buy a home, you can contact Homekeur to get a clear picture of its current condition. You might have found the property by searching differently than you normally would. We'll delve deeper into how buyers' buying behavior is different now than it used to be.

The natural environment is becoming more important

First and foremost, we're seeing people more consciously searching for homes with a bit of nature nearby. The coronavirus crisis has made us appreciate nature and greenery more. This is also reflected in buyers' search behavior. They're increasingly looking specifically for homes in a natural setting and less for homes in an urban environment.

A private outdoor space is often a must

This shift in search behavior is related to the previous one. Buyers are increasingly looking for homes with private outdoor space and are increasingly looking less for apartments without outdoor space or with only a small one. This, too, can be traced back to the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Many people are working from home and therefore spending less time outdoors than usual. This is driving the need for private outdoor space.

Houses with 1 extra bedroom

People who previously searched for two-bedroom homes are now increasingly looking for three-bedroom homes. Buyers looking for three-bedroom homes are now looking for homes with at least four bedrooms. Simply put: we're consciously looking for homes with at least one extra bedroom. This can be attributed to working from home.

Many people have to do this at the kitchen table or on the couch, simply because there's no space left in the house to set up a home office. People want to be able to work comfortably from home, in a closed space, and therefore look for an extra room in the house.

The search area is expanding

An Amsterdammer wouldn't even consider living outside Amsterdam. A true Rotterdammer wouldn't even consider buying a house outside of Rotterdam. This idea is fading. The housing market is currently under so much pressure that more home seekers are willing to broaden their search area. Amsterdammers are now more easily buying a home outside Amsterdam than before. Rotterdammers are less reluctant to leave "their" city than usual. This is what the enormous shortage in the housing market is doing. Buyers are now searching in a much broader area.

Would you also like to buy a nice home?

Are you also looking for a nice home? Then you might recognize yourself in the changes in search behavior mentioned above. Perhaps you're also consciously looking for a home with an extra room, or perhaps you're now searching in a larger area. Have you found a nice home?

Then have a building inspection carried out by Homekeur. We'll prepare a comprehensive building report , giving you a clear overview of the property's condition. We'll give you insight into expected costs and provide you with clear advice. This way, you'll always know exactly what you're buying. Schedule your appointment online now. Want to learn more first? Feel free to contact us.

Would you like to make an appointment for a building inspection?

The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!

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