Guides · 02 Dec 2022
Preparing Your House for Sale: Why Internet Speed Has Never Been More Important
Internet speed is now a key factor for property buyers. Here's why it matters and how to boost your property's connectivity before selling.
In today's competitive property market, internet speed has become a critical factor that buyers evaluate before purchasing. The shift to remote and hybrid work accelerated by recent years means broadband quality is now considered as important as the kitchen or bathroom. A property with poor connectivity can struggle to sell, attract lower offers, or sit on the market significantly longer.
Why Internet Speed Matters to Buyers
Post-COVID work patterns have permanently changed how people evaluate homes. Potential buyers now routinely ask about broadband speeds before viewing a property. Poor connectivity becomes a dealbreaker for professionals who need reliable internet for their work. Even families seeking rural escapes increasingly demand fast, stable connections to maintain contact with schools, services, and entertainment streaming.
The Impact on Property Value
Properties with poor broadband connectivity face measurable impacts on value. Research shows that properties in areas with slow internet can be valued 5-10% lower than comparable properties with fast connections. Beyond direct valuation, poor internet also narrows your potential buyer pool—remote workers, digital entrepreneurs, and young families simply won't consider properties with inadequate connectivity.
What Buyers Check Before Purchasing
Savvy buyers perform their own due diligence. Most use Openreach's availability checker to see what fibre is available at the property. Many run speed tests to see real-world performance. Some request reports on current connectivity options and historical speeds. Forward-thinking buyers increasingly treat broadband as a utility essential to the property's functionality, just like water and electricity.
How to Check Your Property's Current Speed
Before listing, run your own speed tests using tools like Speedtest.com or the Openreach checker. Test at different times of day to understand typical performance. Check what your ISP actually delivers versus what they claim. Test both Wi-Fi and ethernet connections. These results give you concrete data about what you're selling and highlight any improvements needed.
Improving Connectivity Before Sale
If your speed tests reveal poor connectivity, improving it before sale is worthwhile. For properties with slow fibre speeds, Integra's SD-WAN solution can bond multiple 4G/5G connections to deliver 150-350Mbps—far exceeding what most fibre connections provide. For rural properties without adequate broadband, adding Starlink or upgrading to modern mobile-based solutions demonstrates to buyers that connectivity has been addressed.
A Competitive Advantage
In your marketing materials and property listings, highlighting fast, reliable internet becomes a major selling point. "Superfast broadband available" or "High-speed fibre installed" can differentiate your property from competitors. Properties marketed with clear evidence of excellent connectivity attract more interested buyers and often command premium prices.
Don't overlook this critical factor. Get a desktop survey to understand your property's connectivity options and make improvements before selling. Fast internet isn't a luxury anymore—it's an expectation, and buyers will judge your property accordingly.
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