- fish4homes research reveals we are more interested in building a home than turning a quick profit
Britons have had enough of the house-hopping frenzy, research out today reveals. According to online property expert, fish4homes, more Brits are in fact putting down roots than those of previous generations did.
The fish4homes.co.uk survey, which polled over 1,000 people across the UK*, exposed a huge slump in serial house swapping amongst today’s Brits. Twenty-five years ago, the UK consisted of a whopping three times more house-hoppers than it does today**.
Modern life’s advantages can be credited with helping Britons settle sooner: the Internet gives workers the opportunity to do their jobs from almost anywhere, and commuting has been made easier by transport and road improvements over the last few decades. These changes essentially mean many of us are no longer forced to live where we work, in contrast to previous generations.
The results show a stark contrast to the image which is generated by reams of newspaper coverage and property TV programmes, of Britons’ obsession with staying somewhere just long enough to fix it up before moving on to the next project a bit richer.
It has now been shown that images of cold-hearted homeowners using their houses as a stepping-stone to the next investment are wide of the mark. We are in-fact hearth-loving nesters, who see our homes as a place to fill with memories and personal touches.
In fact, nearly two thirds of people asked (64%) said that their next move will be their last, and more than one in five Brits (21%) plan never to move home again! When asked to state what eventualities might cause them to move, the respondents’ replies were passionate – many stated they would only leave if forced. Comments included “I’ll move from my home when I’m carried out in a coffin” and “If the building was demolished”, or “If I am evicted” – although one admitted they could have been tempted by “winning the lottery”!
The UK’s nesting nucleus is Newcastle, with Wales and Glasgow coming in very close behind. The country’s flightiest homeowners can be found in Brighton – even here over half of the population move home an average of just 4.4 times in their lives. Londoners sit squarely in the middle of the tables, with 77% of the population house-hopping just three times or less.
Mark Fitzgerald-Cooke, national sales director of fish4homes, comments: “There is such a fuss made these days about how to turn a house into a profit. It used to be said that an Englishman’s home is his castle, the research shows just how strongly people feel about where they live, reinforcing that theory. With house-hunting tools like fish4homes at their disposal, it’s easier than ever for people to find their dream home.
“Nevertheless, house sales remain high. In my experience, this fact, alongside the survey results, shows that many owners are buying-to-let other properties while remaining in their family home. It is the ideal way of cutting out the stress and cost of numerous moves, while building strong ties to your home and community.”
House-hunters can make sure their next home is ‘The One’ with a bit of planning and these helpful tips from fish4homes:
- You may not have kids now, but where you live could impact their future: is the area safe enough? Are the schools good?
- It’s part of life that as relatives get older they need more help – would you feel close enough to your parents as they aged?
- Think about how your career is shaping up. If you were offered a job in a nearby city, would the commute still be bearable?
- Do some research into development plans for the area – the ideal spot might not seem so great if the council has just approved the construction of a huge shopping centre nearby!
- Check the local building permission regulations – you may need to make changes as your family changes size!
|
Article Source