Love at first sight - should you buy a property after one viewing?
We look at where and why buyers were enamoured at first glance, and share our experts’ advice on making a good first impression when selling your home
Purchasing a property can be one of the most important - and expensive - decisions of our lives. But for a significant proportion of us, once we’ve found the perfect match we’re ready to commit on the spot. As new Knight Frank data reveals, in 2024 in the UK 23.3% of people viewed a property once before buying, with this percentage changing dramatically depending on which area you visit.
This property on Edinburgh’s Walker Street sold on first viewing. Discover properties for sale in Edinburgh
Hot property
In local markets where certain properties are in high demand and competition is fierce, a swift decision can make or break whether you secure your dream home - as demonstrated in Edinburgh, which tops the list at 52%. “Good stock in the city doesn’t hang around. If you have a first-class property in the New Town, for example, it’s not going to stay on the market for an extended amount of time,” says Rosi Dow, Associate Director in Knight Frank’s Edinburgh office. “There’s some absolutely iconic streets in the city that people want to live on, and they will wait until the right property comes up for sale there.”
Also greatly desired, especially by those looking to downsize, are more modern properties, a rarity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Due to the landscape of Edinburgh, properties in central new builds, particularly with lifts, get snapped up exceptionally quickly,” she adds.
It was love at first sight for buyers of this house on Joubert Street. Discover properties for sale in Battersea
The London neighbourhood of Battersea ranked at above-average 33%, with sought-after homes such as period properties drawing immediate and considerable interest. “One of our best sales was a 3-bedroom cottage on Joubert Street. We had a lot of interest in the property and conducted 10 viewings in one day,” says Sarah Gerrett, Sales Manager in Knight Frank’s Battersea & Riverside office.
“The couple who bought it were in their 20s and buying their first home together, with the help of their families. This was the first house that they ever saw and they loved it so much that they offered straight away! They knew they faced competition from other buyers as there were multiple offers so they paid above the asking price to secure the property.”
Meanwhile, the desirable Surrey town of Esher, combining countryside charm with an effortless commute into the capital, came in third at 43%. As Adam Burlison, Knight Frank’s Head of Sales in the area, describes, in regions with limited housing stock immediate decision-making can be crucial. “Demand and competition are what drives quick, emotional decisions…the fear of missing out is a real thing.”
This remarkable home on Wayneflete Tower Avenue in Esher captivated on first viewing. Discover more properties for sale in Esher
First impressions count
While making a wise investment is important, choosing a property is as much an emotional decision as a financial one. After all, a house is not just bricks and mortar, but where memories are created and families are raised.
Of course, there are certain things sellers can do that can help nudge the decision along. “As the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression; even simple things like decluttering help,” shares Burlison. “Going to the extent of coffee and bread being made isn’t required, but having everything looking sharp is a must.”
Even if a property isn’t fully refurbished, dressing it well to emphasise its best features can make all the difference. Gerrett also advises fixing any issues likely to spook buyers, such as cracks or leaks, ahead of putting it on the market. “There’s a new generation of younger buyers who are used to seeing beautiful properties on Instagram and Pinterest, and they want an amazing interior handed to them on a plate,” she says. “We do a lot of strategy work with clients; instead of putting it online and waiting for the phone to ring, it's thinking about how we are going to entice people through the door and create the best possible viewing experience.”
Who could resist the charms of this Georgian gem on Dorset Street? Discover more properties for sale in Marylebone
The perfect match
The property world is a people business, with Knight Frank playing matchmaker between potential purchasers and their dream home. Taking the time to understand the needs of both sellers and buyers is important - and especially so when it comes to off-market sales - to result in the ideal pairing.
”From the first client appraisal, it was clear it wouldn’t take long to find a buyer for a Georgian gem on Dorset Street, located on the doorstep of the famous Chiltern Street and minutes away from Marylebone High Street,” says Jack Mogridge, Head of Prime Marylebone Sales at Knight Frank. “The client discreetly marketed the property to a handful of buyers and before long an asking price sale was agreed. It was love at first sight for the purchaser who fell in love with the location and property’s charm, offering so much potential.”
For other purchasers, they are willing to hold out as long as it takes to find that rare property that ticks all the boxes - and, as Burlison describes, a property in Esher was well worth the wait. “A magnificent 5-bedroom home on Wayneflete Tower Avenue sold off market, the buyers did a one-off viewing and felt the house was perfect having been looking for 2 years!”
Here is the full list of the top 10 locations in the UK based on the percentage of buyers that viewed the property only once before buying in 2024:
- Edinburgh: 52%
- Cambridge: 50%
- Esher: 43%
- Queen’s Park: 40%
- Mayfair: 37%
- Battersea & Riverside: 33%
- Islington & King’s Cross: 33%
- Marylebone: 33%
- Kensington: 31%
- Hungerford: 30%
