The way Australians live and work has changed significantly in recent years – and the features we look for in our homes along with it.
When searching for properties, buyers & renters have the opportunity to search for properties using keywords for criteria that are important to them and over the past 2 years these have changed. The shifting preferences of buyers and renters reflect many of the lifestyle changes driven by the pandemic and these don’t show any signs of changing anytime soon.
Taking the top spot were searches for “pet friendly” properties.
Pet friendly homes surged in popularity during the Covid pandemic. Back in 2019, less than 10% of keyword searches related to pet friendly spaces, compared to a peak of 28% in mid-2020. Demand for rentals where a furry friend is allowed have remained high ever since.
Another trend that has prevailed is searches for “studies” or “offices”. While a rise in those searches is predictable given the increase in working from home arrangements during Covid, there is no sign of this trend slowing.
Among both buyers and renters, searches pertaining to home offices have risen to new highs in 2022. The growth has been strongest among buyers, where the share of office keyword searches was 25% higher in the September quarter compared to the same period last year.
Changes to how we work & live appear to be permanently altered and as such, the ability of a home to cater to the changing needs of buyers & tenants will ensure minimal time on market & maximum rental/sale values, well into the future.
