Fewer than one in five UK homebuyers end up purchasing their “perfect property”, according to new research from hybrid estate agency Yopa – with most making compromises on outdoor space, location or size as affordability pressures reshape buyer expectations.
The study, based on a survey of recent buyers, found that while 58% began their search with a clear vision of their dream home and a further 27% had a fairly clear idea, the reality of the housing market forced the majority to settle for less.
Only 17% said their final purchase met every criterion on their ideal property checklist, and just 19% described their home as “perfect” once the process was complete.
The most frequent sacrifices were garden size and overall floor space, followed by the style or character of the home and its location.
AFFORDABILITY ISSUES
Despite this, nearly nine out of 10 (88%) respondents said they were ultimately satisfied with the property they bought, suggesting that expectations are adjusting to market realities rather than collapsing under them.
Affordability remains a decisive factor. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said a larger budget would have allowed them to secure their ideal property, while 8% reported that no home – regardless of price – would have met their definition of perfect.
The findings come amid a period of shifting buyer sentiment, with constrained supply, tighter affordability ratios and higher borrowing costs all continuing to influence housing choices. Even as mortgage rates stabilise, many households are prioritising location and long-term potential over aesthetic or lifestyle preferences.
PRICE FACTOR
Verona Frankish (main picture, inset), Chief Executive of Yopa, says: “The majority of us start our search with a clear idea of what our perfect property looks like, but when it comes to actually finding it, it’s often easier said than done.
“Of course, price is a major factor, but so too is the reality of what’s available on the market. For many homebuyers, the feeling of finding ‘the one’ never comes – but most still end up happy, even if their home doesn’t meet every expectation they had at the start of their search.”
