It seems the days of romanticising a crumbling “project” property are on the wane. According to fresh research from Market Financial Solutions, UK buyers in 2025 are all about ready-to-move-in perfection – and far less keen on rolling up their sleeves, brandishing a paintbrush, and living with the smell of plaster dust for six months.
This year, 79% of buyers said the quality and finish of a property was top of their wish list – that’s a leap from fourth place in 2024. Meanwhile, the once-coveted “potential to extend or convert” has been bumped right to the bottom, with just 56% caring whether they can bolt on a conservatory or turn the loft into a yoga studio.
Why the change of heart? Well, higher borrowing costs mean fewer people have the appetite – or spare cash – for the unpredictable adventure of a full-scale renovation. As Paresh Raja from Market Financial Solutions puts it, people now prefer stability and predictability. Or, in plain Shropshire English: they want somewhere they can plonk the sofa down on day one and get the kettle on without first having to rewire the electrics (which can easily cost £4,000–£6,000), rip out the bathroom (£5,000–£8,000), or fit a new kitchen (£8,000–£15,000 depending on whether you shop IKEA or Italian).
How it’s playing out in Shropshire
From our four offices in Wellington, Newport, Market Drayton, and Whitchurch, we’re seeing exactly the same trend.
- In Wellington, buyers are swooning over homes with sparkling kitchens and pristine bathrooms – bonus points if the oven’s never seen a roast gone wrong.
- Newport house hunters are drawn to properties where the only “DIY” required is choosing where the Christmas tree goes.
- Over in Market Drayton, tidy gardens are winning hearts – nobody’s got time for a wilderness that requires three weekends and a small tractor to tame.
- And in Whitchurch, buyers seem happiest when the biggest job on the to-do list is finding curtains to match the sofa.
That’s not to say the classic Shropshire “doer-upper” is extinct. There will always be those brave souls who can see past the avocado bathroom suite and the 1970s carpet tiles. But right now, for the majority, the dream is a turnkey home – no mess, no delays, and certainly no arguments about whether the walls should be “magnolia” or “off-white with a hint of regret.”
The takeaway?
If you’re selling in 2025, a little pre-sale polish could make all the difference. A fresh coat of paint, a neat lawn, and a bathroom that doesn’t look like it’s plotting against you can help you tap into this wave of “move-in-ready” demand.
And if you’re buying? Well, you know where to find us – Wellington, Newport, Market Drayton, and Whitchurch. We’ve got plenty of homes that are ready for you to turn the key, drop your bags, and put the kettle on. No hard hat required.
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