The Top 5 Things Buyers Want From a New Build Home in the South East

New build homes can sometimes come with a reputation, especially when they’re built by some of the large developers like Barratt, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and others. Viral posts on social media show unimaginative designs, poor quality control and a general ‘sterile’ feeling.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case, and as a smaller, local developer, it’s much easier to design and build something that meets the demand of the local area and gives buyers what they want. But what are those things? What do buyers in the South East want from a new build?

This blog post outlines some of the main design features and other considerations that developers should be thinking about to make their property as desirable as possible.

What Do House Buyers Look For In 2025?

Ample, Useful Storage Space

A common criticism of new builds, either flats or houses, is that they have little or no usable storage space. Often built to a budget and with cookie-cutter designs, things like cupboards, loft space, built-in wardrobes, utility rooms and even garages are left out.

We all require somewhere to store the hoover, put away the shoes and keep the mop and bucket, but we also need a place to keep the seasonal things like the Christmas decorations, the summer camping gear or those boxes of memories we just can’t get rid of. This is especially important for families who naturally just have more ‘stuff’.

However, as a smaller developer, you have more control over the design and can incorporate clever storage solutions into the build. Everything from large cupboards to garages can add value, or at least make the house more desirable at sale.

Off-Street Parking

Most families have at least one car, and many have two. Ample off-street parking, like a driveway or garage, can turn a property from a nice house to a must-have. Going further, many people are switching to hybrid or fully-electric vehicles, and will need somewhere to charge them.

You may decide not to go as far as installing a charger yourself. But factoring this into the design of the property and ensuring that the wiring is in place to easily install and use one may be something that buyers are looking for.

Flexible Designs

All households are different, and you want to allow a potential buyer to make the property their home. Flexible and open floor plans let the new owners arrange things and use the space as they want to, rather than what you think works best.

For example, a smaller office or study room downstairs can be used for when people work from home, as a kid’s playroom, a guest bedroom, or even a home gym. Similarly, large living/dining rooms can easily be divided and broken up with furniture by the new owner, but creating dedicated rooms may be much harder (and expensive) to change.

Good-Sized Gardens

The pandemic showed us how important outdoor space is, and one of the primary things people look for in a new build is a decently sized, secure garden. Whether it’s for kids or pets to run around in, to turn into a gardeners’ paradise or simply relax after a long day, including a large garden in the plan is a proven way to improve desirability.

For families in particular, a layout with easy access from the kitchen to the garden, with plenty of visibility through windows or patio doors, is a must-have for peace of mind and keeping an eye on the kids from the kitchen. Such a layout is also great for the summer months when people want to eat outside or entertain guests.

As with the interior, keep gardens simple but nice to allow the new owners to add their own touches. In most cases, a patio and a lawn will be fine, especially if it’s south- or west-facing.

Energy Efficient Design With Green Materials & Tech

Energy costs are rising, and more of us are conscious of our effect on the planet, with plenty of people fitting solar panels, heat pumps and effective insulation to their homes to cut costs.

However, these renewable technologies and energy-efficient materials are at their most effective when they’re designed into the house from the outset. For example, heat pumps are most effective in a modern building that is well insulated and uses underfloor heating, which can be costly to retrofit.

Likewise, solar panels work best on a south-facing roof and when installed with a solar battery. In both cases, the battery and/or the water tank for the heat pump will need extra space, which is best considered in the design stage of the build.

In many cases, the heat pump can be powered directly from the panels for maximum efficiency and lowest cost. Similarly, smart EV chargers can be programmed to take their power from the solar panels.

Although these features naturally add cost, they can make a property much more desirable to a prospective buyer so it really pays to know your target demographic when planning your build.

Funding Your Property Development Project

By understanding what buyers are looking for in 2025 from their new build homes, you can incorporate it early on in your designs and funding applications. We’ve worked with new and experienced property developers across the South East to turn proposals into profitable property developments, and we’re always eager to hear from new developers.

If you’ve found the perfect location for your next property development, contact Hunter Finance today to find out how we can help.