Whether buying, selling or renting, Cantabrians want bigger homes.

Real estate agents say four-bedroom homes are easier to sell than their smaller counterparts as people look to future-proof their investments.

Builders this week told The Press the standard three-bedroom, one bathroom home was becoming rarer.

Harcourts business development manager Chris Kennedy said four-bedroom homes would "always be a bit easier to sell".

"I think for many people it's about future-proofing and the on-sale of their house," he said.

"Most families nowadays have two children, so that means the spare room can be used as a guest room or office."

Despite the increased popularity of four-bedroom homes, the market for three-bedroom houses was "still strong".

"That market won't disappear anytime soon," he said.

"Kids spend a lot of time in their rooms and there are computers and desks and televisions and an Xbox and things that take up a lot of space."

Nigel Bowden, from the Grenadier Accommodation Centre, said that if people had the money to build bigger homes, they were "probably wanting to live in them" instead of renting them out.

Renter demand for four-bedroom houses was on the rise, he said, but it was difficult to measure because renters responded to individual listings instead of filling out a preference form.

Harcourts Gold agent Cameron Bailey said the average family had "more bits and pieces than ever before" and needed more space in their homes.

"They don't necessarily have more children, but a standard three-bedroom home in Bishopdale would take longer to sell than a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Bishopdale," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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