Buying a house is a big decision, as most people will only do it once or twice in their lifetime. There are a number of things to consider – such as location, price and outdoor space – and so it is important that people do their research before making any financial commitments.
Traditionally, access to good schools, off-street parking and being close to local amenities have all been high on the list of desirables for house hunters. However, this list has altered dramatically over the years with the development of the digital landscape.
How important is broadband?
Research by broadbandchoices.co.uk shows just how highly valued a good internet connection has become. Over 2,000 homebuyers were questioned as part of the study and one in ten said they would walk away from a property that offered slow broadband. On top of this, one-fifth of respondents check broadband speeds when evaluating a home.
Some 19 per cent also admitted broadband is the first service they activate after moving in – putting it ahead of gas (ten per cent) and TV (eight per cent). This means electricity (21 per cent) is the only utility that takes priority, highlighting how big a factor broadband is becoming.
Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove, said: “In this digital age, a fast broadband connection is becoming more and more important for home-hunters. People don’t just rely on a good internet connection for browsing the web, but also television entertainment and working from home.”
Improving a property’s value
Once individuals take the decision to sell their home, their thoughts will turn to how they can maximise its value. There are a number of home improvement options open to people, including installing insulation, having a well kept garden and well maintained radiators and a boiler.
However, other factors – typically beyond the control of the homeowner – can make a difference too, such as having a south-facing garden, being close to local amenities and, more recently, possessing a reliable broadband connection.
For many householders, getting access to a reliable broadband connection is easy, as they can take advantage of ADSL or fibre. But, those living in rural areas can face problems getting connected to a network and this is where satellite broadband comes in. By installing a small dish (74 cm) on the outside of a property, any house in the UK can get access to broadband speeds of up to 20 Mbps.
If people use a service provider such as Avonline Broadband, they will also receive a full customer care package. As the company is responsible for the hardware, they will always provide repairs, or replace it free of charge, if the dish breaks down.
Making a house appealing
The key to selling a house is to make it as desirable as possible. As the internet starts to play a bigger role in the lives of people, being able to offer a good broadband connection is only going to become more important.
This means individuals need to do their utmost to get access to high speeds, regardless of what area they live in. Indeed, if your house is in a rural location, going the extra mile and installing satellite broadband could be the difference between a successful sale and your house floundering on the market for months or years.
