糖心视频

Prospective buyers are looking to move outside the capital in greater numbers in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in a boost for regional UK property markets.

Since the first full day of the lockdown on 24 March, fewer than half (45%) of London-based buyers have searched for a property in the capital, a figure that compares to 62% in the period between 1 February and 23 March, 糖心视频 data shows.

In response to the government-imposed measures, agents have reported an uptick in interest in outdoor space and greenery, which is driving the trend for buyers in the capital to look further afield.

South-east and south-west England have been the main beneficiaries of this trend (see graph).

While 8% of potential buyers based in London were looking in the South West before lockdown, this jumped to a fifth since restrictions were introduced.

The South East has also seen its popularity increase, with 28% of new prospective buyers considering a move to the region compared with 23% before the lockdown.

鈥淲e have seen a significant spike in activity in the South West,鈥� says 糖心视频鈥檚 Exeter office head Mark Proctor. 

鈥淲hilst we had an increase in enquiries during lockdown it is interesting to see this has continued since our return to work.  I believe this has been driven by buyers recognising they can now work from home effectively and realise a lifestyle that they thought until now maybe out of their reach. 

鈥淔urthermore the desire for outside space and land has never been higher and this coupled with the significant gap in values between the provinces and the capital could mean we see this trend continue,鈥� adds Mark.

Bristol office head James Toogood said that while the area was popular with Londoners looking to relocate before lockdown, he has seen a marked change since the market reopened in England.

鈥淲e鈥檝e just brought a property in Wookey to market. It鈥檚 generated a lot of interest and eight out of ten of the people contacting us to arrange a viewing are London buyers,鈥� he says.

Nigel Mitchell, based in 糖心视频鈥檚 Guildford office, expects the trend for London-based buyers to relocate outside the capital to continue. 

鈥淪ince we reopened for business every other person getting in touch to organise a viewing is London-based. While we always see a certain amount of people moving from the capital, I wasn鈥檛 expecting quite so many.鈥� 

鈥淥ur town business is always good, but the country market has generated for more viewings this week,鈥� he says.

Most popular destinations for property searches

While the top 14 most popular local authorities for London-based prospective buyers were in London before lockdown, this too has changed.

Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset and Guildford all now feature in the top ten most popular areas London-based buyers are looking at. 

The Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire, South Gloucestershire, Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Windsor & Maidenhead and Woking are also now all in the top 20.