What Leeds homebuyers looked for in 2025, according to local estate agents
As 2025 draws to a close, branch managers from across Leeds have been sharing their reflections on what homebuyers have been looking for when choosing a new home this year.
Home must-haves change on a regular basis, driven by interior and lifestyle trends, but in 2025, several new home ‘wants’ have emerged, with more and more buyers requesting to view homes that have them.
Here is what’s currently topping the list of ‘must-haves’ for homebuyers in Leeds, according to experts at Leeds-based estate agent Manning Stainton:
Garden rooms
Most branch managers agreed that garden rooms have proved more popular than ever this year, driven by continued home-working. More and more people who’ve worked from home for a long time now want a garden room that they can use as a home office, allowing them to continue working from home without being in the actual house.
Four plus bedrooms
Several branch managers have noticed an increase in intergenerational living in 2025, with families who live together looking for homes with extra bedrooms and multiple reception rooms. Other homes that are proving popular with large, multigenerational families include those with ample space to extend.
Off-street parking with EV points
As more people go electric, there’s now more demand than ever for homes with off-street parking and EV points. It’s been one of the biggest must-haves amongst local homebuyers this year and is a requirement that looks set to continue into 2026 and beyond.
Ready to move into homes
Homes that are picture perfect and ready to move into have surged in popularity this year, overtaking doer-uppers. Branch managers all agreed that this has coincided with increases in construction and home improvement costs, meaning more people are now opting to pay a bit more up front for a house that they can move into and call home straight away.
Playrooms
Requests for homes with a playroom have shot up in 2025, as parents look to create dedicated spaces for their kids where they can store all their toys to help keep the rest of the house clutter free.
Large kitchen diners with glass doors to the garden
Kitchen diners with doors out onto the garden have been popular for years, but many branch managers have noticed an increase in requests this year for open plan kitchens with large doors that lead out onto the garden. They agree that as the cost of living continues to soar, more people are turning to socialising at home and want a large space to do so.