House hunters guilty of overlooking 1 key thing – then end up regretting it

House hunters guilty of overlooking 1 key thing – then end up regretting itMost people moving home prioritise garden space and property size, but research shows many overlook one key element that could cost them in the long runCommentsNewsAlice Hughes09:30, 20 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesProperty size and garden space were the main considerations for potential buyers(Image: Getty Images)Half of home buyers admit they can't look past the aesthetics of a new property – but have regretted giving little or no thought to the energy rating. A survey of 1,000 adults who have moved within the past five years revealed that the most frequent considerations when searching for a property to buy or rent were size and garden space, followed by local amenities, broadband availability and decent neighbours.‌However, 38% admitted they wished they had taken energy-efficient features more seriously when initially viewing a home. Having a driveway and internal storage space ranked higher than checking whether the property had a reliable heating system and high-quality insulation. The EPC rating was similarly overlooked as a priority.‌View 3 ImagesMany buyers overlook energy efficiency (Image: Getty Images)‌The research, commissioned by British Gas, discovered that the time of year influences what people prioritise when moving home.Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they would be likely to check the heating system in winter, compared with just 39% in summer. Likewise, 64% would inspect the boiler in winter, versus 44% in summer.Peter Knowles, a service and repair engineer at British Gas, acknowledged that moving home can be daunting given the sheer amount to consider. Nevertheless, he cautioned that people should always assess the energy efficiency of a new property before reaching a decision.‌He said: "While we understand how important the aesthetics and kerb appeal of a property are, it's concerning to see that these factors often come above energy efficiency when deciding on a...