Personal safety is the number-one must-have on homebuyers’ checklists, though 22% say they’re willing to compromise on it for affordability

Roughly one in five (22%) homebuyers are willing to compromise personal safety to afford a home, according to a new survey, commissioned by Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket.

Still, personal safety is the top non-negotiable for homebuyers, with 78% calling it a “must-have.” It’s followed by two other safety-related location features: a low rate of crime, which 74% consider a must-have, and a low risk of natural disaster, which 68% have on their list of non-negotiables. Next is access to grocery stores, which two-thirds of homebuyers are unwilling to compromise on.

Redfin asked prospective homebuyers about non-negotiables versus negotiables because it’s difficult to afford a home in today’s housing market. The median U.S. home-sale price has increased more than 40% since before the pandemic, and mortgage rates are roughly double pre-pandemic and early-pandemic days. A recent Redfin analysis found that homebuyers must earn $112,000 to afford the median-priced U.S. home, roughly $25,000 more than the typical U.S. household earns. While affordability has started improving in some major metros, buying a home is still a reach for many Americans.

“Prices are starting to come down, but buyers—especially first-timers—are still battling with affordability,” said Katie Shook, a Redfin Premier agent in Phoenix. “Buyers want a home that fits their practical needs: They’re looking for a bedroom for every kid, space to work from home or an easy commute, things like that. Some more luxurious features, like a fully finished backyard with a pool or a recently renovated kitchen, aren’t as valuable to buyers as they used to be. People might want those things, but they aren’t willing to—or can’t—pay more for them.”

It’s worth noting that in many parts of the country, the housing market has shifted firmly in buyers’ favor. Buyers may be able to negotiate down the sale price, or get concessions like a mortgage-rate buydown or closing costs, from a seller that could help them afford some nice-to-have features in addition to must-have features. “Sellers know it’s taking longer to sell and that they can’t expect multiple offers like they would have gotten a few years ago,” Shook said. “Today, the definition of a win is selling. So for buyers who see a home they really want, it’s worth a try to negotiate with the seller.”

For House Hunters With Kids, Highly Rated Schools Are Important—But Not As Important As Space

With the school year coming up, Redfin also looked at survey respondents with kids, and whether they’re willing to compromise on living near highly rated schools.

Two in five (41%) of the respondents with children living at home say they’re willing to compromise on highly rated schools to afford a house, while 59% consider highly rated schools a must-have.

All in all, highly rated schools fall smack in the middle in terms of must-haves for people with kids. Survey respondents with children living at home were more likely to rate features of the home itself—including the number of bedrooms, indoor space and outdoor space—as must-haves than highly rated schools. They were less likely to say commute time, proximity to restaurants, and several neighborhood characteristics are must-haves.

To view the full report, including charts and a more detailed methodology, please visit:

https://www.redfin.com/news/survey-homebuyers-compromise-safety

About Redfin

Redfin is a technology-driven real estate company with the country's most-visited real estate brokerage website. As part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Redfin is creating an integrated homeownership platform from search to close to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone. Redfin’s clients can see homes first with on-demand tours, easily apply for a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, and save thousands in fees while working with a top local agent.

You can find more information about Redfin and get the latest housing market data and research at Redfin.com/news. For more information about Rocket Companies, visit RocketCompanies.com.

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