The one property feature that Australians did not stop searching for in 2023
Summer has arrived, and what better way to celebrate than hopping in a pool? Well, new data has revealed that the one key feature buyers have been searching for this year is, in fact, a pool.
The Domain End of Year Wrap 2023 has revealed the top keyword across all capital cities by search volumes this year was pool, followed by study, view and waterfront.
This came as no surprise to Toby Parker of Belle Property Balwyn in Victoria.
“I would’ve said pools without looking at the data,” he says. “There’s been a real shift of families wanting to entertain at home and have that complete entertainment space … you can have family and friends over, and to complete that package, people want a pool.
“Not only is it a place to relax but they’re usually great to look at and a focal point of any good house.”
Parker says a pool can make or break a sale.
“With advanced pool technology such as self-cleaning systems or self-chlorinating systems, they’re easier to manage so a lot more people are interested in them now … some people won’t compromise on a pool; some would pay a lot of money for them,” he says.
In Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast region, Amir Milan of Amir Prestige Group says almost every home he sells has a pool.
“Most of the homes we’re selling have spectacular pools so I’m not surprised it’s the top feature,” he says.
“I have a home on Knightsbridge Parade East that’s going to auction on Sunday. It’s one of the biggest homes in Queensland, I’d say, and it has a pool that’s more than 20 metres. It feels like an Olympic pool.”
Properties with a pool are particularly popular during the spring and summer months, Milan adds.
“We push for those types of properties to list during the warmer months, but it’s not always the case,” he says. “People still sell during the cooler months.
“But the moment spring hits, as an agent, we start blowing the trumpet to those who are on the water or have a pool with indoor and outdoor entertaining, to come to market. It’s the best time to showcase a home.”
At the upper end of the market, buyers expect a pool.
“It’s very rare that people want to spend $3 million to $5 million and not have a pool these days,” Parker says. “There are exceptions to every rule, but I have to say, to get up to that sort of level, you want these homes to have a pool.”
Matthew Smythe of Belle Property Neutral Bay in Sydney says while a pool is popular, a renovated home trumps it for buyers.
“A renovated property surpasses a home office and a pool,” he says. “A pool will be seen as nice to have and many people are working back in offices … but I think the most popular thing among buyers is a home that has been renovated.
Parker says a pool “ties into the fact that buyers want that turnkey solution”.
“They want move-in ready with a pool, something that’s been well-kept and well-designed … those are the properties selling,” he says. “This is a feature that buyers will continue to want well into next year.
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