Bristol crowned best area for downsizers
The latest research from over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, has revealed where in England downsizers have the greatest choice of suitable homes to move to and where they face the toughest search based on the availability of suitable stock in the current market.
Regency Living analysed current property market listings, looking at the proportion of one and two-bedroom homes for sale across each county in England as a percentage of all homes listed for sale. These smaller homes are often the preferred choice for downsizers seeking to free up equity and reduce the costs and maintenance associated with larger properties.
The research shows that, across England, 38% of current for-sale listings are one or two-bedroom homes, meaning that in many areas, downsizers face competition for suitable properties, particularly in more rural counties where larger family homes dominate the market.
Outside of London, the best location for downsizers is the City of Bristol, where almost half (46%) of all homes currently listed for sale are one or two-bedroom properties, providing an excellent level of choice for those looking to downsize.
Berkshire follows closely with 44% of stock meeting this downsizer criteria, with Hertfordshire next at 43%. Other strong performers include Dorset and Greater Manchester (both 42%), as well as Surrey and East Sussex (both 41%).
In contrast, the worst downsizer availability is found in Rutland, where just 21% of homes listed for sale are one or two-bedroom properties. This is just one area of the nation where Regency Living is helping to address the lack of suitable properties available to downsizers through the provision of high-quality, modern park homes, which provide downsizers with the option of not only releasing equity but securing a larger home than those offered by bricks-and-mortar options such as flats at the same time.
Herefordshire, Shropshire and Lincolnshire follow with just 24% each, while Staffordshire and Northamptonshire sit at 26%. In these markets, downsizers face a much more limited choice and may struggle to find a suitable smaller property without compromising on location or amenities.
However, downsizers are not restricted solely to what is available in the traditional bricks-and-mortar market. Park homes offer an additional pool of potential stock, giving silver downsizers more options when making their next move.
Unlike the smaller footprint often associated with one or two-bedroom houses and flats, many park home developments offer spacious, modern properties with all the comforts and amenities of a conventional home, yet at a fraction of the cost. This allows downsizers to secure the space they want in the location they love, while also freeing up equity to enjoy their retirement.
Tim Simmons, Sales & Marketing Director at Regency Living, commented:
“Our research highlights the postcode lottery facing downsizers, with some parts of the country offering an abundance of suitable homes, while in others the choice is far more limited. For those in areas with little available stock, the search for the right property can be frustrating and time-consuming.
This is where park homes present a valuable alternative, particularly in areas such as Rutland, giving buyers the option of a high-quality, low-maintenance home in a location that suits their lifestyle, without being restricted to the small number of one or two-bedroom properties in the local market.
Park homes offer space, comfort, and community, all at a price point that allows downsizers to release equity and make the most of later life. Even in areas where downsizer stock may be plentiful, a park home may still provide a better option for silver downsizers due to the fact that they are often found in more peaceful country and coastal locations, rather than city or town centres, with a community of like-minded silver downsizers already established.”
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