When it comes to the most essential features in a property you would imagine double glazing or a parking space would be top of most buyers’ lists.
But a new survey has highlighted the biggest non-negotiable for buyers today is decent broadband.
According to Broadband Genie connectivity is a must for 95% of home movers who simply would not be willing to live in an area with poor broadband.
The research found that more people would be willing to move to a property facing coastal erosion than live without a decent broadband connection.
Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, said: “There are so many factors to consider when choosing your ideal property and this research strongly suggests that we won’t tolerate loading screens, jittery streaming service or lengthy download times.
“Many of us rely on good broadband and mobile reception for work, entertainment and education, which is non-negotiable for movers. We’d be more willing to face coastal erosion or live near an airport than suffer the pain of sluggish speeds.”
Tofts’ advice is, before you view a property, take five minutes to check the phone reception in the area and what deals are available at the address.
“You can check broadband deals through any trusted broadband comparison site using a simple address search, and there are heaps of mobile internet and reception checkers online which are free to use,” he said.
“If you find your dream home, but the broadband isn’t up to scratch, all hope isn’t lost. A home mobile broadband connection using 4 or 5G will cover most home’s requirements. You can opt for a Starlink satellite service in the unlikely scenario of no fast fixed line or mobile option.
“Users average 80Mb download speeds, but it isn’t cheap at £299 to set up and then £75 a month. However, you can always try and offset this if you can get a discount on the property.
“Don’t be afraid to try out smaller alternative network providers (altnets), as these are often unique to a particular area and can provide exceptional value for money.
“You may also want to check out your mobile reception in the area you are looking at. Keep an eye on the signal bars at the top, but also consider doing a speed test using your mobile data so that you can get an idea of the 4G or 5G speeds available on your phone.”
