Taylor Scott International News
A quintessential farmhouse or cottage surrounded by quiet countryside is the dream home for many people in the UK, new research shows. But that home needs to be not too isolated, have three bedrooms or more, have good broadband, good insulation, be cosy and inviting and have an Aga in the kitchen, according to the latest Housing Futures survey from Strutt & Parker. Much has been written about the new urban living trend but the survey reveals that is not necessarily everyone’s dream. The top desire was a home in the South East of the country followed by a rural location. The third desire on the list is being less than a mile from shops, followed by a detached farmhouse or cottage with three bedrooms or more. Next is a home that has a traditional British interior and cosy ambiance and then sixth on the list is an Aga oven. The final four top wishes are for good broadband, a walled garden, an outstanding view of the countryside and good insulation for energy savings. ‘The survey results paint an interesting picture as the quintessential British farmhouse surrounded by quiet countryside clearly remains as an enduring ideal for many. Over the past decade, there has been a focus on urban resurgence, so we were interested to discover that while our respondents want to live near other people, they didn't want them on their doorstep,’ said Stephanie McMahon, head of research at Strutt & Parker. ‘Lifestyle change remained the dominant motivation for moving, but in light of pension challenges and parents seeking to help their children onto the housing ladder, we were surprised to see that so few respondents ranked release of equity, pension top up and financial support for relatives as their reasons for moving home,’ she explained. ‘It seems that we really are a nation of optimists. It certainly was encouraging to discover that 79.4% of respondents believe they can achieve their dream home within the next five years,’ she added. Focusing solely on those who intend to move within the next five years, the survey showed that the largest proportion of home buyers wished to settle in the South East at 26.1%, followed by the South West at 15.6% and the West Midlands at 9.6%. Rural areas, villages and market towns came out as the most desired living environments at 23.3%, 22.9% and 17% respectively. Walking distance to the shops of less than a mile was crucial to 49.2% of people. For the second year in a row, lifestyle change was the biggest motivation for moving for 49.3%, followed by access to shops and amenities cited by 39.3%. A new category for the survey this year was broadband connectivity, which has shot in as the third motivation at 35.8% and highlights the desire to be technologically connected. According to those who plan to move within five years, the ideal home will be a detached house for 65.7%, either a farmhouse or in a cottage… Taylor Scott International
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