Housebuyers plan rural retreat after lockdown as estate agents see surge of enquiries

Prospective homebuyers are now seeking properties in remote coastal areas across the country as the coronavirus lockdown continues.

Estate agents are reporting a noticeable rise in the number of enquiries they have received from would-be buyers looking to move away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relocate to the countryside in the last few weeks.

The surge in house hunters looking to make a move to the country comes as more Britons continue to settle into a working from home model amid the pandemic.

The estate agent Savills, which has more than 100 offices across the UK, reported a noticeable rise in buyers enquiring about their properties in Winchester, Newbury Canford Cliffs in Dorset and the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland.

While Rightmove also reported a noticeable surge in those looking to move to the countryside after comparing property searches last month with April 2019.

Among the properties currently available on Rightmove are:  

Inverness, Scotland- £290,000 

Average house price- £201,654 

This Victorian semi-detached villa, which lies a short distance from the city centre, is priced at £290,000

The property in Scotland (front room pictured) dates back to 1895 and is located close to the city centre

This Victorian semi-detached villa, which lies a short distance from the city centre, is a traditional stone property which dates back to 1895.

It has been extended to the rear and is the ideal purchase for those looking to live in the sought after Crown area of Inverness. 

The property also comes with fitted floor coverings, fixtures and fittings, curtain poles, curtains and window blinds. 

Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset- £875,000  

Average house price- £845,602 

This three-bedroom detached family home in Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset, is priced at £875,000

This house comes with a large kitchen dining room, substantial reception room and a double bedrooms

The gated property also lies close to the renowned Salterns Marina and the Parkstone Golf club

This three-bedroom detached family home, located in the heart of Lilliput, provides a family looking to move out of the city with a large kitchen dining room, substantial reception room and a double bedrooms.

It also has a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and further bedroom suite situated on the top floor with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite shower room.

The secure gated property, which also comes with a large driveway, also lies close to the renowned Salterns Marina and the Parkstone Golf club.  

Newbury- £260,000

Average house price- £355,404 

This two-bedroom end of terrace house which is priced at £260,000 on Rightmove is spacious and located close to the town centre

This two-bedroom end of terrace house is spacious and located close to the town centre. 

The property consists of an entrance lobby, living room, cloakroom, kitchen/diner, rear porch with French doors to garden and a master bedroom which come with built-in wardrobes.   

The countryside house also comes with a cloakroom, allocated parking and side access to garden.

Winchester- £295,000

Average house price- £555,178 

This one-bedroom retirement property in Winchester is a a semi- detached bungalow, set in the in the parkland grounds of Headbourne Worthy House

A step inside the property reveals a spacious bedroom that allows for light to flood through its windows

This one-bedroom retirement property is a semi- detached bungalow, set in the parkland grounds of Headbourne Worthy House.

The property hallway leads to the spacious, light and airy lounge/dining room leading onto a private patio.

It also comes with a large private garage situated en bloc nearby. 

South Devon – £600,000

Average house price- £254,049

The four-bedroom detached house comes with a double aspect dining room, kitchen and four bedrooms

A step inside the property reveals a spacious kitchen that comes with windows offering views of the surrounding countryside

This four-bedroom detached house has been put on sale by the estate agents Rightmove for £600,000.

The property comes with a double aspect dining room, kitchen and four bedrooms and a solid wooden front door.

The house, which is comes with a large garden and two garages, offers sea views over Paignton.  

Mayfair- £795,000

Average house price- £4,596, 733

This two-bedroom apartment in London’s Mayfair, which is on the market for £795,000, provides a galley kitchen, a drawing room and private internal garden

The lavish property provides its prospective buyer with a large living area that comes with a fitted fireplace

This two-bedroom apartment situated in London’s Mayfair offers its buyer a master bedroom suite and a smaller second bedroom.

The property, which is on the market for £795,000, also provides a galley kitchen, a drawing room and private internal garden. 

In light of the current Covid-19 crisis, the firm surveyed around 700 buyers and sellers between April 21 and 27 in a bid to understand how attitudes towards property location had changed.

Lucian Cook, Savills head of residential research said: ‘It is clear that the current crisis has made people think more about the space they live in, the attributes they most value in a home and in some cases, where they want to live, all of which is likely to drive activity at the top end of the market as we come out of lockdown.  

While analyst at Savills, Frances Clacy, added: ‘Greater space has become a prerequisite for those anticipating increased home working and those with children.

‘More outdoor space and access to countryside are also likely to be of greater importance to parents looking for a new home.’

The survey, which comes as Britons across the country remain in lockdown, also found that 39 per cent of buyers who were under the age of 50 displayed an interest to upsize their property. 

While those with children attending school also showed an interest to move to the countryside.

Elsewhere, the estate agent Rightmove also reported a noticeable surge in those looking to move to the countryside after comparing property searches last month with April 2019.

Rightmove have seen a rise in property searches in areas such as Inverness, Belgravia and Mayfair

The estate agent found that there was a 167 per cent increase in interest for properties in Inverness

The findings suggested that during the coronavirus lockdown people have been contemplating moves to remote locations by the sea or in the countryside, and have perhaps been inspired by their favourite television shows. 

The property company reported a huge increases in searches for properties in Inverness, Shetland, Sandbanks, St. Davids in Haverfordwest, South Devon,  Marston Moretaine, Belgravia, Cotswolds, Ullapool and Mayfair.

Inverness and the Shetland Islands in Scotland saw the biggest rise in searches, increasing by 167 per cent and 131 per cent respectively.

The BBC’s popular murder-mystery drama Shetland was previously said to have boosted tourism on the islands.

A survey of around 700 people, carried out by the estate agents Savills, found more prospective buyers looking to move to Canford Cliffs in Dorset (pictured)

Duncan Chisholm, director of Munro and Noble in Inverness, said: ‘The city has been developing quickly in recent years and so the fact that it’s still relatively affordable compared to other cities around the UK makes it an appealing place to live.

‘Not to mention the amazing scenery, beaches and hillsides that we’re fortunate to have on our doorstep.’

Captain Tom Moore’s village of Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire also took a spot in the top ten, with a 46 per cent increase, and picturesque St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales, saw a 58 per cent rise. 

The research also suggests people have been occupying some of their time by browsing through dream million-pound properties in recent weeks.

Sandbanks in Poole, where the average house price is £1.2 million, has seen the third biggest increase in property searches, at 64 per cent.

While Belgravia – also the title of an ITV period drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes – has seen a 42 per cent increase in searches, despite the average price tag being upwards of £3 million. 

A survey carried out by the estate agents Savills found more than half of prospective buyers with children attending school were looking to move to a countryside location

Steve Isaacs, director of Luxury and Prestige in Sandbanks, said: ‘Sandbanks is the ultimate lifestyle location in the UK, though we know there’s only a fortunate few who are lucky enough to afford to live in the area.

‘It has miles and miles of fabulous beaches.’

Rightmove housing market analyst Miles Shipside added: ‘People often use Rightmove to daydream, so it’s not surprising to see some of the search areas on the up being the most expensive in the UK.

The top ten places buyers are looking to move to according to Rightmove 

Inverness

Shetland Islands 

Sandbanks

St Davids 

South Devon

Marston Moretaine 

Belgravia 

Cotswolds 

Ullapool 

Mayfair  

‘The beautiful areas in the far north in the list are likely a mixture of people dreaming of living somewhere more remote, and those seriously thinking about changing their lifestyle after lockdown.

‘Locations in Scotland feature three times in the list, and with property prices comparatively affordable compared to others in the top 10, it’s highly likely that properties in these areas will find buyers more quickly when restrictions are eased.

‘As well as the UK public expressing their passion for property, there seems to be a growing desire to find a quiet place to live.’

The latest figures come as estate agents look to bring staff back to work as people become desperate to move house and London faces a potential 10 per cent slump in house prices.

The London agency Chestertons has seen some of its lettings staff back at work after noticing a 28 per cent increase in requests to view its rental properties after the lockdown. 

In March, Savills predicted that the pandemic would lead to a drop in London house values of up to 10 per cent, bringing the average price from £483,922 down to £435,529, Homes & Property reported.   

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