Nuisance neighbours biggest buyer turn-off

Anti-social neighbours are the biggest turn-off to prospective homebuyers, research from PrimeLocation.com has found.

In a recent survey of over 4,000 homebuyers PrimeLocation.com found that almost 3 in 5 (57%) of those surveyed listed loud or anti-social neighbours as the most likely reason for being put off a home purchase.

Lawrence Hall of Primelocation.com, said: “Discerning buyers don’t simply look for a good location but want to live in a good neighbourhood too. “The quality of the neighbours and the security of the property are both clearly important factors for ‘prime’ buyers.”

Homebuyers in the East and North East of England are most put off by the thought of bad neighbours with 61% of respondents claiming this as the leading detractor from a purchase. Londoner’s seem less fussed with just 52% of potential buyers in the capital stating that noisy neighbours would be a key off-putting factor.

Security ranked very highly as an important factor in a property being considered as ‘prime’ with private gates and security cameras coming in above swimming pools, tennis courts and walk-in wardrobes as must-haves amongst potential buyers.

Peter Lawrence at Lawrence Rand said: “Clearly good neighbours are an important part of making a property a home but we rarely hear of issues and people often just need to take a little time to get to know each other and get along.”