Phil Spencer, 48, has been a regular fixture on British television for the past 18 years.
He is the co-host of Channel 4 property show, Location, Location, Location, a show which sees him travel the length and breadth of the country finding homes for Britons with his co-star, Kirstie Allsopp.
The property stalwart has now partnered up with Barclays, creating the 2018 Barclays home improvement report which reveals some very interesting insights into the property demands of Britons.
The innovative report revealed that Britons are now staying put for nearly two decades in their homes, deciding to renovate and embark on DIY rather than move on.
Phil Spencer: Location, Location, Location star reveals unusual property must-have for 2018
A property expert and chartered surveyor, Phil knows a thing or two about renovation projects, offering advice to Britons looking to redo their homes.
“Square footage and aesthetics,” began Phil, talking to the Express.co.uk on what Britons should focus on.
“Square footage is why people redo their houses, it’s in their hands and it’s cheaper. Whether it be in the garden or a conservatory.”
This coincides with the research from Barclays, which revealed that 25 percent of Britons do home improvements to increase the value of their property.
“Adding square footage is a clever improvement because it’s cheaper to build, people are wanting more land,” continues Phil.
“It is cheaper to keep a house and add on land than buy a house with more land. That’s why home improvements are popular.”
Phil started his career as a chartered surveyor, working in the property industry for decades (Image: Getty Images)
Along with adding extra space to properties, Britons are now demanding something more niche from their houses – a larder.
“You know, larders and pantry, which is surprising,” continued Phil on what he dubbed the “property trend of the year”.
Dubbed as the property trend of 2018, larders and pantries join sustainability and bi-folding doors as one of the hottest property must-haves in the UK.
But home sustainability doesn’t mean solar panels, wind farms and going off-grid, it can be as simple as ensuring your home is energy efficient.
“Check spaces like your bathroom,” advises Phil. “We had a hole in our bathroom by the sink where energy and heat were escaping.
Phil revealed that the biggest property trend of 2018 is having a pantry in the kichen (Image: Getty Images)
Phil has hosted Location, Location, Location with Kirstie Allsopp since 2000 (Image: Getty Images)
“You can get someone in to see where you are losing energy and outs was in the bathroom.
The star also recommended smart metres and boiler insulation to boost your home’ efficiency.
On the other end of the spectrum, the report by Barclays also names and shames the worst home faux pas in the country.
Coming in top was woodchip wallpaper, with 60 percent of Britons being adverse to the dated designs.
Also disliked by Britons were next were mirrored ceilings, carpeted bathrooms, ugly blinds and fake beams, sentiments Phil himself shares.
Along with pantries, bi-fold doors are a property trend for 2018 (Image: Getty Images)
Artex ceilings proved unpopular among Britons in the Barclays report – also disliked by Phil (Image: Getty Images)
On discussing what home trends he dislikes himself, the property expert reveals: “Ugly blinds, fake beams, artex ceilings, wood chip, – unfortunately, they’re all quite hard to get rid of and can be costly and difficult to change.
“A few years ago wood chip wouldn’t be so much of a turn-off, but it is now.”
Thinking of doing any DIY to get rid of that wood chip wallpaper or artex ceiling?
“Any DIY disaster can be easily noticed, so making sure you know what you’re doing is important,” advises Phil.
“Buyers or visitors will be able to see a mile off DIY mistakes and then that could make them think the whole house isn’t up to scratch.
“A lick of paint goes a long way, and re-carpeting, both are easy to do, with very little cost.”