An Empirical Study on Residential Users' Preferences in Home Purchasing

Abstract

Housing, in addition to fulfilling a basic need like shelter, is a multifaceted phenomenon that directly affects the quality of life of individuals through its economic, social, and spatial dimensions. In Turkey, rising housing prices, accessibility issues, earthquake risk, and changing lifestyles have made housing purchase decisions more complex and multifaceted. This study examines, from a user perspective, the criteria that participants living in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara prioritize in the housing purchase process, through questions posed via an online survey. The results reveal that earthquake safety and structural integrity, location, price/budget suitability, and security criteria are the primary determinants in housing purchase decisions for housing users. It is believed that these findings will contribute to the development of user-oriented housing production processes for housing producers, planners, and policymakers.