_What Home Buyers Really Want in 2021: The Global Buyer Survey results digested

Knight Frank's annual Global Buyer Survey takes the pulse of buyers’ attitudes to gauge housing demand globally. One year ago, in 2020, we were in the eye of the Covid-19 pandemic with the virus upending how we live, what we want from a home, how we work, and prompting a reassessment of life goals with many prioritising a better work/life balance. As part of a bitesize series we analyse the findings of the survey below, focusing specifically on what home buyers have told us that they want from their next property move.

September 03, 2021

As post-pandemic life in certain countries started to take on the hue of 'altered normal', the surge of those looking to make a move continued.

Driving headlines and agendas is the "race for space" with 22% of survey respondents, particularly in Europe and Australasia, citing outdoor space as the bigger driver behind their next property move.

Globally, 46% of respondents said that they are more likely to buy a detached home or villa with the number one reason for wanting to move cited as being an 'upgrade' to the family home.

Mirroring the appetite for specific homes seen last year, waterfront residences are in second place with 42% preferring a coastal or lakeside location and 34% and 18% wanting a country/rural location and ski property respectively. 19% of respondents were considering a move to an apartment or condominium.

Overwhelmingly, the pull towards biophilia - a connection with nature and the outdoors - tops home buyers' agendas with 68% of those considering a move motivated by a post-pandemic need for green space, healthy, outdoor-centric lifestyle with the bonus balls being excellent air quality and good views of the ocean, mountains or beautiful skyline.

The side effect of the Covid-19 is palpable in survey results with access to good healthcare coming out on top with 57% of respondents prioritising this over walking to work, amenities and good schools.

Perhaps most surprising is the extent to which cities are back in favour. Globally, of those respondents that are more inclined to move in the next 12 months, 38% are looking at a city location - respondents in Asia and the Middle East in particular - while 33% are considering the suburbs.

Bringing colour to the data, and based on the finding as a whole, the countries that tick many of the boxes for those intending to move in the next year are Switzerland, France and the UK - all mature, transparent economies offering stable political governance, a good quality of life and advanced vaccination programmes.

We also add another dimension to the survey results by providing bricks and mortar examples of homes that offer many of the criteria that home buyers are searching for in 2021.

Download the Global Buyer Survey 2021

Outdoor space and mountain views

Country: Switzerland

Location: Villars

Price: CHF 2,750,000

This is a traditional, 3-bedroom pinewood chalet with panoramic mountain views. It is close to the polished, upscale mountain resort of Villars with easy access to to ski slopes, mountain railway, elegant restaurants and smart hotels.

It's also one of the best family ski resorts close to Geneva, with a ski area that stretches across to Les Diablerets, Gryon and the high, snowsure Glacier 3000.

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Not what you're searching for? Why not look at some other property for sale in Switzerland?

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