By Garry Slater
Director at National Property Buyers with 20+ years of experience in UK property acquisitions.

UPDATED: 6 May 2026

The Top 5 things that affect house prices

1. Location

The mantra ‘location, location, location has never been more true. Top of the list, home buyers choose a property for it’s easy access to hi-speed transport routes. This allows people to get from A to B faster and have more time to see their family.

2. Local amenities

Buyers today carry out detailed research on an area before deciding to view properties. Leading Ofstead school ratings are a key driver in choosing where to bring up young families. Important local amenities include gyms, great shops, bars and restaurants.

3. Property specifics to home buyers

Detailed online property searches target a set number of bedrooms, bathrooms, en-suites, a good sized kitchen, gardens, off-street parking and finally the general condition. Home buyers fall into two categories. Some look for a property they can fix up and others for one that is picture perfect in every way.

4. Employment opportunities


Gone are the days where a job was for life. Today’s buyer knows only too well they may have to change employer or indeed profession at short notice. Living in a city or town that has high levels of employment in a wide variety of industries is seen as a sensible choice.

5. The Economy

Having seen the Credit Crisis of 2007 buyers are now prone to ensuring that they do not overstretch themselves. This has lead to buyers choosing more affordable properties with safer mortgages. The average age of a first time buyer in the UK today is 31 whilst the average age of a cash property buyer is 50+.

Professional home buyers guide

Here is a list of those items most sought in a brand new home:

  • Minimum maintenance
  • Off-street parking
  • Location
  • New home warranty
  • Size and design of living space
  • Quality of the neighbourhood
  • Energy efficiency

All of these items are better found in new build homes today. Perhaps the time has come for the rest of the UK’s housing stock to catch up in areas such as off-street parking and energy efficiency.

In summary

Many factors come into play in our decision over where to buy our next house. And perhaps this helps us in a way. By having a ‘wish list’ we can rule out those areas and types of housing that we do not want. After all, this list is what professional house builders have been creating homes around for many years.

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Garry Slater, UK property expert and Director of National Property Buyers.
About the Author: Garry Slater

Garry Slater is the Director of National Property Buyers and a veteran of the UK property market with over 20 years of experience in residential acquisitions. He specialises in resolving the types of sales that often stall on the open market—from managing inherited estates and sitting tenants to stopping home repossessions and fixing broken chains.

Rather than offering general market theory, Garry’s insights are rooted in hundreds of real-world transactions. He uses his deep knowledge of the 2026 legal and administrative landscape to clear away the hurdles that delay property sales. His goal is to provide transparency and certainty, helping homeowners secure a fast, fair, and guaranteed way to move on.

Garry Slater, Director of National Property Buyers: Over 20 years experience solving complex property sales, including sitting tenants, probate, and broken chains across the UK.