More days in the office affecting buyer preferences

• The way we work changed dramatically through Covid and whilst it seems clear that hybrid work patterns are here to stay, latest rail usage data suggests more of us are going into the office more often.

• For the first time since 2020, rail usage is virtually back to pre-covid levels (at 98% of pre-covid levels).

• Data does vary by transport type and by geography too. Usage is still lower for the London tube (82%) and 86% for London buses. Neither of these have seen an increase this year in line with the rail data.

• Survey data also suggests a shift in buyer preferences once more favouring proximity to transport over extra space.

• Transport links were ranked as 6th most important, rising 8 places from 2021 and just higher than square footage which dropped to 7th (down from 2nd in 2021). Source: Dataloft by PriceHubble, Department for Transport, Market Financial Solutions 2024