Top 20 'must-have' property features:

Central heating 69%

Double glazing 68%

A garden 65%

Secure doors and windows 61%

Driveway or dedicated parking space 54%

Plenty of electrical sockets 54%

Local shops and amenities 50%

A good, reliable broadband connection strong enough to stream TV and film 49%

Friendly neighbours 47%

At least 2 toilets 46%

A bath 46%

A good energy efficiency rating 46%

A new boiler/central heating system 45%

A reliable, clear mobile phone signal 44%

A shower cubicle 40%

A garage 39%

Cavity wall insulation 38%

A land line telephone 38%

A living room big enough for a large, flat screen television 37%

A dining room 35%

Several previous ‘must haves’ failed to make an appearance in the top 20 with the survey signalling the end of the period features craze.

Likewise, more buyers were concerned with having a garden (65%) than a conservatory, suggesting that the traditional investment may actually harm your chances at selling your home.

However, the biggest surprise was that only 13% of those surveyed said access to good local schools was an essential factor in buying a new home.

Matt Sanders from Gocompare.com Home Insurance commented, “Buying a home is a major investment and while most of us will only buy a house if it ‘feels right’, our survey should hopefully give those looking to sell their home a steer on what buyers are after.

“We found that many potential buyers are prioritising efficiency, security and connectivity over aesthetic features. This suggests that modern buyers are buying with their heads rather than their hearts and that investing in things like a new boiler, additional electrical sockets or modernising your home’s insulation could be a smarter investment than traditional selling points such as period features or conservatories.

“If you’re not looking to invest further in the property in order to sell, then it’s worth making small changes to the décor when it comes time to sell. Making your home seem warmer, fresher and more secure could have a positive effect on potential buyers. So, even if it’s not to your personal taste consider opting for earthy warm colours over greys, blacks and metallic colours.

“It is surprising to see previous must-haves such as good schools and conservatories fail to make the top 20. However, our research shows that buyers are becoming more financially savvy and are willing to make compromises on the finer details of a property to keep costs down and avoid expensive work in the future.”