A fast internet connection is now one of the most important factors for homebuyers, according to a survey of 294 estate agents across the UK.
Questions about connectivity, usually "full-fibre" broadband, are up 69% since the pandemic began, the research, by Omdia for telecoms equipment maker Huawei, suggests.
Speeds of more than 300Mbps are being sought by 34% of buyers - and, according to 33% of the estate agents, can add £5,000 to the sale price of a home - while 23% want 1Gbps.
Asked to name the single most important factor is for homebuyers:
- 23% said the size of the property
- 20% said broadband quality
- 18% said the number of bedrooms
- 10% said the age of the property is
- 9% said transport links
"And poor wi-fi and a bad mobile signal can be a deal-breaker.
"Fibre broadband definitely makes properties more appealing.
"And people will sometimes walk away from a property if they feel the broadband and phone signals aren't good enough."
And research from telecoms regulator Ofcom suggests 18.2 million homes (62%) already have access to 300Mbps or faster.
But only a fraction pay for such high speeds.
And the average UK speed is actually 50.4Mbps.
