The Coronavirus Pandemic has had a huge impact on how we live and will do so forever. The need for social distancing will drive us to avoid unnecessary crowds wherever possible.
The way in which we now live and function in our homes has also changed. Our home environment has become more important than ever and it has led to many people seeking a significant lifestyle change.
This has very quickly changed buyers’ priorities and as a result, Acorn Property Group has reported a significant increase in the level of interest in their rural and coastal collections across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, The Cotswolds and Wales. Home buyers are opting to leave hectic city life in favour of less crowded environments and reconnecting with nature, embracing health and wellbeing benefits and enjoying more open space both inside and outside the homes.
This has made Acorn’s design-led homes in some of the most breath-taking rural and coastal locations across the South West of England and Wales more popular than ever. Following the reopening of Marketing Suites and Show Homes in England, the housebuilder saw a 40% uplift in website traffic and 144% increase in leads for the month of May year on year.
There have been widespread predictions of falling house prices including a forecast from leading international estate agents and property consultancy Knight Frank, which indicated that UK prices would fall by 3% this year, before bouncing back by 5% in 2021. However, values at Acorn’s coastal and rural schemes remain solid with increases being seen in some areas along with indications of pent up demand.
Cancellation rates have been very low with transactions agreed prior to lockdown continuing to progress including a sale at The Liner in Falmouth achieving well over £800 sq ft, agreed sales at Bruton in Somerset and in South Wales along with a recently completed sale at The Links overlooking Rest Bay in Porthcawl of over £1m.
Acorn is seeing unprecedented demand for its many coastal schemes such as those in Porthcawl, Falmouth, Duporth near Charlestown and Constantine Bay near Padstow with many offering unrivalled sea views and great access to renowned beaches and coastal walks.
Rural schemes including those in the Somerset towns and villages of Frome, Wedmore and Bruton are proving popular with families, commuters and people working from home due to their offering of enhanced open space yet remaining connected to local amenities and excellent transport links.
Melanie Omirou, Group Managing Director at Acorn Property Group said:
“As with many industries, the Coronavirus pandemic has of course impacted on the property market however; we are seeing clear signs of people actively searching for a lifestyle change. Since lockdown restrictions have started to ease, buyers are eager to talk with us and our sales teams are busy helping people find the perfect home for them. I would encourage anyone looking for a new home to contact us now and see how we can help get you moving.”
If you are thinking of moving home and want to have the countryside or coastline on your doorstep then check out our Rural and Coastal collections.
