So here we are, like a butterfly coming out of its chrysalis, well may be that is over the top a little bit but hey, it feels like we have been held captive in our own little bubble with no joy or freedom for a while now.
Some families have realised that with all the fantastic weather that we have had they now want to change up so that they have a suitable garden for them to enjoy.
Since the government stated that we could reopen our doors on Thursday 21st May, Cross Keys have been inundated with lots of leads on all kinds of properties across the board from larger flats to maisonettes, from terrace houses to detached ones but the most common theme that comes through has been that they all want to upsize either accommodation or outside space. This is the same for the rental market.
One of the consequences from spending so much time in your home is the question “Does this home work for me?” With lots of people taking the opportunity to work from home, a lot of you are considering changing up your property so that you have a dedicated office space. Some families are looking to change up so that their children can have a dedicated play room or even a room to home school.
With all that being said, I want to take some time to talk to all the vendors and landlords that are out there currently with your properties on the market or about to place your properties up “for sale” or “to let”. Consider what it is about your property that might make it appealing to the general public. Are you looking to upscale? If this is the case what can you do with your property that will make it stand out? What special features can you accentuate? The main thing to remember is that presentation is key.
According to a news article, Landlords and Vendors putting their homes on the market are being told to show off gardens in marketing photos as house-hunters search for that coveted outdoors space.
Usually most browsers have previously been interested in what the kitchens, bathrooms and interior features look like, but this period of lockdown has altered our perspectives on what is important to us and what we are now looking for according to research by the property portal Rightmove.
Unfortunately small flats just do not have the space that we now desire, combined with fact that there are so many flats and apartments currently on the market without any outside space at all, means that they are now losing out to houses which have now become more popular with the buying and rental market, especially four and even six bedroom houses.
Some house hunters are taking the decision to move further out from the town and city centres. Suburbia and further in to rural areas are proving more and more popular as these places have been purposely designed for family life with larger houses and generously proportioned gardens usually coming as standard. Many people would usually have been priced out of larger homes with big gardens, but indications suggest they are willing to accept a slightly longer commute to work in order to cast their nets wider for that more affordable and suitable property.
Some of the more sceptical elements of the press believe that this surge in demand will be short lived due to the possible financial problems that the shutdown will have on the economy in the not too distant future, however, Cross Keys are not seeing any signs of this nor do we expect to as here in the West Country, we tend to be shielded from the larger problems that the capital and other larger cities experience.
Some of the adverse effects of this lockdown has had on the public include relationship break ups, loss of employment or the 20% loss of income due to the furlough scheme which have led to the rise in rental enquiries.
Rightmove research for the BBC, based on the website’s data and a survey of 4,000 potential movers, has suggested 49% of renters and 39% of buyers have changed what they are looking for as a response to living in lockdown.
As half of those asked wanted to work from home, a third of movers wanted a better domestic workspace with good internet and a spare room now higher up on wish-lists.
Searches by buyers for homes with gardens on Rightmove were up 42% in May compared with the same month a year ago, and increased by 84% over the same period among renters.
