So, you own a larger-than-average home in a family-friendly location? While you may have been living in your home kid-free for years (or always), it doesn’t mean your home isn’t the ideal choice for families in 2025.
This year, we’re seeing a bunch of changes in how families are choosing and buying homes. If you’re downsizing this year and getting ready to sell, take a look at the top things families are looking for in homes like yours.
1. A Practical Kitchen
Everyone loves a modern kitchen, but modernisation isn’t everything. Families often buy homes and stay in them for years and years. If they want to modernise, they have time to do that.
What they’re more interested in is the practicality of the space right now. A spacious or open-plan kitchen is ideal for families. But a good use of the available space is what they really want.
Families often have a lot of stuff – from appliances to food. Having a decent-sized fridge, enough worktop space and ample storage is essential. If you have a budget for kitchen upgrades, consider spending it on things like shelves and extra cupboards to maximise storage.
When you’re at the selling stage and hosting viewings, consider clearing the worktops almost entirely. That way, buyers can see the full potential of the space.
2. A Functional Garden
Every family would love a big garden. But you can’t control how much land you can afford. If your garden is more intimate, this isn’t a problem for families.
What they really want from a garden is functionality. They want to sit outside and enjoy meals together. They want a patio area for BBQs. They want real grass so their kids can kick a football around.
A garden doesn’t have to be large to contain these things. It just needs to be well-utilised. If you’re renovating your garden before selling, think about zoning it in the right way for families – with space for eating, relaxing, socialising, and playing.
3. Storage Space
Storage space is so important for families. More and more buyers are actively searching for homes with boarded lofts and ample cupboards.
Homes with built-in wardrobes, shelving units in airing cupboards, garages with wall units, and lofts with integrated storage solutions are their top priority.
If you want to raise the value of a family home, consider investments like these to boost its desirability – and potentially its price point.
4. Extra Bathrooms/Toilets
Every family wants more than one bathroom in the house. Most modern properties have an upstairs family bathroom and a downstairs water closet, with some even having an en-suite in the master bedroom.
Older properties don’t tend to possess such luxuries. But sometimes, there’s more than enough space to add these in. If you’re looking to add value to your home before selling, consider installing a water closet under the stairs or in a utility room.
It could significantly increase the value of your home as well as up its desirability, helping it sell faster when you eventually get on the market.
Conclusion
Knowing your buying pool is essential before putting your home on the market. When you’re renovating before selling, it’s even more crucial to think about the future and what people will be looking for in a home like yours.
If you’re considering selling your property, our online valuation tool can uncover unique intel about its price point. Get a valuation today in a matter of minutes.
Or book a valuation with one of our local experts to learn more about your buying market and what you can do to maximise returns in the future.