FIRST TIME buyers would choose storage space, parking and good room sizes over being close to family, friends, parks or schools according to a survey by myhome.ie.
The survey, carried out among would-be buyers, found that room size, storage and parking are ranked as “important” or “very important” by up to 96 per cent of respondents.
However, only 67 per cent of those planning to buy their first home rated proximity to friends as important, while the figure fell to 62 per cent for family or relatives. Familial ties aren’t a deciding factor for 14 per cent who said being near family was “unimportant” or “very unimportant”.
First-time buyers are the single biggest group in the housing market right now and make up 35 per cent of buyers, according to a recent report from the Irish Banking Federation. This is up from 18 per cent in the last quarter of 2007.
Nearly half of the 539 respondents to the myhome.ie survey were single (46 per cent), 28 per cent were cohabiting and 24 per cent married. The bulk (69 per cent) are in the 25-35 age group.
Parking is a priority for 94 per cent while just 81 per cent said public transport would be a factor. In other findings, being close to work is important to 83 per cent while being near local amenities was important to 85 per cent. However, being close to schools is a factor sought by just 54 per cent while only 28 per cent considered a garage as important.
The number planning to buy a newly built home is relatively low at 20 per cent, with most looking to buy a second-hand property. Just over 40 per cent said they would like a house needing no renovation, while only 16 per cent of those surveyed were after a property with period features. Gardens are sought after by 89 per cent, whereas a balcony is only rated by 17 per cent and a sea view even lower at 13 per cent.
A tiny minority are keen to have the relatives to stay – just 4 per cent said they would rate a granny flat as important.
