Is the 'forever' house the latest property trend?

The ‘forever’ house is the most recent line of thinking among Wiltshire estate agents and property professionals across the country. While newspapers are full of articles about house prices, Government figures prefer to tell a different story. The latest number crunching revealed there were about 1.1 million property transactions in 2014, which is 23% below the average over the past 30 years and 37% below that of a decade ago. The property industry widely worked on the basis that home owners decided to move every seven years, whereas the latest statistics show people are putting down roots for longer and are moving every 10 years. Wiltshire estate agents say this figure may actually be higher, as the Government include investment purchases, second homes and compulsive property buys in its calculations. Here at Winkworth in Wiltshire, we are also noticing that home movers are reverting to buying a house because they want to live in it for a long time, rather than purchase a property they can make money from. The Daily Telegraph even described the trend as a search for a property that is 'elastic enough to accommodate change'. This is in direct reference to buyers looking at flexible accommodation, outbuildings, land and conversion potential with one eye on the future. Clients coming to Winkworth in search of their 'forever' house almost always have a list of requirements but there are often elements they haven't considered. Here we take a look at the top six 'must haves' when searching for the 'forever' house:- Are there enough bedrooms' An essential question if you're going to be moving away from family, or if there are children who might return to the family nest. Is there any room to extend the property' Being able to add extra rooms is highly desirable, especially if the family may not be complete. Is there a loft, garage or cellar that could be converted' Parents often crave more space/privacy when their children are teenagers. Providing them with a den or even a whole floor is a luxury that often makes life easier. Is the garden suitable' Is there enough space for energetic children' Also consider the maintenance involved in the long term. Is there an outbuilding or annexe' Many clients ask us for properties for sale in Wiltshire that have separate buildings on the plot as they foresee the need to move elderly parents in with them at some stage. How good is the local community' Consider what is accessible on foot, if there is public transport and what healthcare provisions exists. The 'forever' home is most sought after by young families in their 30s and 40s, looking to settle in one place and ingrain themselves in the local community In Wiltshire we are lucky enough to have some fantastic locations and properties that offer a long-term base, with great transport connections, open countryside and local facilities. If you would like to view a selection of the latest houses for sale in Wiltshire, please contact us today.