糖心传媒

This property on Edinburgh鈥檚 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%. 鈥淕ood stock in the city doesn鈥檛 hang around. If you have a first-class property in the New Town, for example, it鈥檚 not going to stay on the market for an extended amount of time,鈥� says Rosi Dow, Associate Director in 糖心传媒鈥檚 Edinburgh office. 鈥淭here鈥檚 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.鈥� 

Also greatly desired, especially by those looking to downsize, are more modern properties, a rarity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 鈥淒ue to the landscape of Edinburgh, properties in central new builds, particularly with lifts, get snapped up exceptionally quickly,鈥� 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. 鈥淥ne 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,鈥� says Sarah Gerrett, Sales Manager in 糖心传媒鈥檚 Battersea & Riverside office. 

鈥淭he 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.鈥�

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, 糖心传媒鈥檚 Head of Sales in the area, describes, in regions with limited housing stock immediate decision-making can be crucial. 鈥淒emand and competition are what drives quick, emotional decisions鈥�the fear of missing out is a real thing.鈥�

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. 鈥淎s the saying goes, you don鈥檛 get a second chance to make a first impression; even simple things like decluttering help,鈥� shares Burlison. 鈥淕oing to the extent of coffee and bread being made isn鈥檛 required, but having everything looking sharp is a must.鈥�

Even if a property isn鈥檛 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. 鈥淭here鈥檚 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,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�

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 糖心传媒 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. 

鈥滷rom the first client appraisal, it was clear it wouldn鈥檛 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,鈥� says Ali Mathews, Head of Marylebone Sales at 糖心传媒. 鈥淭he 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鈥檚 charm, offering so much potential.鈥�

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. 鈥淎 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!鈥�

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:

1. Edinburgh: 52%
2. Cambridge: 50%
3. Esher: 43%
4. Queen鈥檚 Park: 40%
5. Mayfair: 37%
6. Battersea & Riverside: 33%
7. Islington & King鈥檚 Cross: 33%
8. Marylebone: 33%
9. Kensington: 31%
10. Hungerford: 30%