Security is top of the homebuyer’s agenda, says new research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The survey, which follows previous RICS work on the different preferences of various age groups, shows how men and women's priorities vary according to their marital status, lifestyle and most importantly whether or not they have children.

Security, however features heavily through all lifestyle stages. 140 chartered surveyor estate agents were asked to state the three most important criteria specified by different social groups when looking for a new home. Single men and women identified nightlife and leisure as their major concern, with security being single women's top priority. However, after moving in with their partners their interests shift to include garages and off street parking! The arrival of children changes the agenda completely, pushing schools to the top of the list followed by gardens and security. Gay couples' interests focus on the same issues as single men and women - nightlife, leisure and security. These priorities also make a reappearance as important factors for divorcees, along with the quality of neighbourhoods.

The results below show the top three factors each social group looks for when buying a home as reported by chartered surveyor estate agents.

Single women: Security 79% Nightlife 51% Leisure 49% (Gym / Theatre / Art Galleries) 
Single Men: Nightlife 72% Leisure 53% (Gym / Theatre / Art Galleries) Motorways 43% Garage/ off street parking 40% 
Dual income no kids: Garage/ off street parking 44% Leisure 41% Nightlife 36% 
Dual income with kids: Schools 87% Garden 61% Security 37% 
Single income with kids: Schools 84% Garden 58% Security 50% 
Gay couples: Nightlife 55% Leisure 47% Security 36% 
Divorcees: Security 58% Neighborhood 41% Leisure 38%  

The survey looked at house-buying priorities for single women, single men, double income couples without children, double incomers with children, those on a single income with children, gay couples and divorcees.

'Schott's original miscellany' by Ben Schott terms the groups in the following way: 

SINBAD - single income, no boyfriend, absolutely desperate 
SCUM - self-centred urban male
DINKIE - Dual income, no kids
TICK - Two income couple with kids
SITCOM - single income, two children outrageous mortgage
Pink pound - gay singleton or gay couple
Diva - Divorced living alone
LADs - living alone, divorced