The size of a garden is the area that potential homebuyers are most willing to compromise on when it comes to buying a property, according to new research.

In a recent Move With Us poll, nearly 40% of estate agents noted how the size of a property’s garden was the first thing to be forfeited by buyers looking for a new home.

This was followed closely by a downstairs toilet, with 33.5% of agents revealing that potential homeowners are prepared to give this up in order to find the right place.

Meanwhile, the survey, which was conducted among independent estate agents also showed that buyers are now completing a higher number of property viewings as they search for their new home.

Ed Church, head of agency for Strutt & Parker in Kent believes: “The higher number of searches is promising for the spring with the recent increase in homes coming to the market mirrored in many quarters by a similar increase in buyer registrations”.

In the last six months, the average number of properties a buyer has typically viewed before purchasing is between 11 and 15 – with people determined to find the perfect place to live.

Church concludes: “My prediction is that things are starting to move. The bolder sellers, who take steps to stimulate the market with realistic pricing will be the successful ones.”