Post-Pandemic, Most Renters Seek Their New Homes in Familiar Environs
MRI’s global survey showed most still want to ultimately own their home.
New trends emerged while others were fortified when it comes to renter preferences and their housing outlook, according to results from a survey by MRI Software late last year that measured post-pandemic priorities.
Many considered a relocation for reasons including a preference to work from home. Suburbanites are the most open to other locations, with 45% expressing a desire to live elsewhere and rural residents least likely to leave (29%).
About two-thirds said their next home would be in the same type of environment as their current one.
When asked where their next rental would be, between 9% and 16% responded that they do not plan to rent again, and that sentiment was strongest in small towns (16%) and rural areas (14%) when compared to suburbs (10%) and city dwellers (9%), according to the Q3 2022 online global survey of roughly 6,000 consumers, split about evenly between the US, UK, and Australia.
This is likely a reflection of relative housing costs and availability, according to the report.
“When comparing current housing type with the type of housing they would prefer, we see a clear preference for a house versus other options,” MRI Software said. This desire is consistent across location types.”
Other inclinations were that renters plan to eventually own a home; private garages, in-unit laundry, and premium appliances are desired; communicating with the landlord digitally is preferred; they appreciate “green practices,” and paying rent digitally is better than through cash or check