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November 21, 2019
Zoopla today released their analysis of searches made on their property website over the last year.
The three most popular house hunters’ search terms were:
It just goes to show then that we are a nation of car lovers who are attracted to homes that offer the convenience of off street parking. At the same time, we’re keen to marry that convenience with proximity to green spaces.
“Bungalow” was the fourth most-searched term.
Laura Howard, consumer expert at Zoopla, said: “The once unfashionable bungalow continues to make a comeback highlighting an ageing population that wants to enjoy the benefits that single-floor living provides.”
The fifth most common search term was “detached” – showing that the desire for a larger, stand-alone property remains high.
Next on the list was a property with an annexe. Whether you want to work from home, need a separate space for a hobby, storage or so you can accommodate a relative, then an annexe is great option. But before you alter your search or consider adding one to your home, check out our guide on everything you need to know, from planning permission to council tax obligations.
Freehold was the next most common searched for feature on Zoopla. With all the bad press around leasehold properties particularly with regard to new build homes, there’s no wonder people are hunting down freeholds. Check out our guide on Leasehold vs Freehold for an overview of the issues.
The remainder of the top 10 most common search terms were: rural, acre and sea view.
The analysis also found that searches for cottages were more common in the Midlands, northern England, the East of England, the South West and Scotland.
While garage was the most popular search term used generally, house hunters in London were most likely to crave some outdoor greenery, with garden being the most common search term used there.
With property prices in London being higher typically than elsewhere, Help to Buy was another popular search term used in the capital.
In Wales and Scotland, house hunters appeared to be particularly likely to be looking for privacy, with the search term secluded appearing on their top 10 lists.
East Midlands
1. Garage
2. Parking
3. Garden
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Annex
7. Acre
8. Rural
9. Cottage
10. Driveway
East of England
1. Garage
2. Parking
3. Garden
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Annex
7. Acre
8. Rural
9. Pool
10. Cottage
London
1. Garden
2. Parking
3. Freehold
4. Garage
5. Detached
6. Balcony
7. Help to Buy
8. Pool
9. Bungalow
10. Flooring
North East
1. Garage
2. Garden
3. Parking
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Rural
7. Sea view
8. Acre
9. Cottage
10. Driveway
North West
1. Garage
2. Garden
3. Parking
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Rural
7. Driveway
8. Cottage
9. Annex
10. Freehold
Scotland
1. Garden
2. Garage
3. Parking
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Rural
7. Secluded
8. Acre
9. Sea view
10. Cottage
South East
1. Garage
2. Parking
3. Garden
4. Detached
5. Bungalow
6. Annex
7. Pool
8. Driveway
9. Sea view
10. Rural
South West
1. Garage
2. Parking
3. Garden
4. Bungalow
5. Annex
6. Detached
7. Sea view
8. Acre
9. Rural
10. Cottage
Wales
1. Garage
2. Parking
3. Garden
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Acre
7. Rural
8. Sea view
9. Annex
10. Secluded
West Midlands
1. Garage
2. Parking
3. Garden
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Driveway
7. Annex
8. Acre
9. Rural
10. Cottage
Yorkshire and the Humber
1. Garage
2. Garden
3. Parking
4. Bungalow
5. Detached
6. Annex
7. Rural
8. Driveway
9. Cottage
10. Acre
March 25, 2025 
