A
wide variety of choice or not?
In the main most of us have limited choice when it comes to what type of
house we live in, the most obvious constraint being what we can afford and in a
arena of rising house prices many of us have much less space that we would
like. Britain currently has some of the
smallest newly built homes on Europe.
We also will consider a particular area to live in based on close
proximity to our family and friends or close to our job and this limits choice
and we become dependent of whatever type of housing is available in that area. Maybe
the British housing market is not the best at giving people what they want and
that what is built is driven by other factors rather than people choice.
Let’s
hear it for the bungalow
Bungalows seem to have been one of the casualties of this lack of
flexibility over house building, sometimes driven by fears of using too up too
much of Britain’s green land to build houses. There has been a tendency to
create more houses at higher densities for example, more blocks of flats which
does not bode well for the bungalow.
However with a growing ageing
population and the desire to remain mobile and self sufficient in our own homes
in our retirement year’s bungalows lend themselves to making this more achievable.
It is projected that in the next 20
years or so there will be a significant rise in household over 65 and the need
to provide housing like bungalows, which can be more easily adapted for older people’s
needs will become a much larger focus that councils will need to consider and
action to reflect this trend.
The
Circle of Life
To build a more balanced portfolio of housing could benefit all as
housing tends to be tied to a person’s life cycle. When you are on your own or
co-habiting the space you need is small compared to when you move into more
permanent relationships with children, when there is a need for space, more
bedrooms and larger garden.
When children then fly the nest and it may not always be economic to
pays the bills for a larger property and one solution is to downsize. However the inflexible supply of new housing
over the last 10 – 20 years makes it difficult from a financial perspective as
well as available suitable properties for the older generations to
downsize. This is turn makes it more
difficult for those that want to up-size in respect of available larger
properties.
This suggests there is a need for government to take on board the needs
of an ageing population which in turn would free up larger housing availability
for the young and middle aged. A more balanced build that benefits all.
An interesting thought for this Blog!
And don’t forget throughout the journey David
Jordan Estate Agents will be with you every step of the way offering
their years of expertise to guide you along the way.
Call us or email us using the details on our website: www.DavidJordan.co.uk
T: 01323 898414
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