New research has shown that a third of home buyers rate being near to work as the most important factor when choosing a home, in comparison with just 9% reporting that they would choose a home because it is near to their family.
Other factors which came higher than being near to family in Santander’s survey of where makes a good place to live were proximity to a good restaurant and being near a green space.
Space vs location when buying a new home
The survey suggested that 1 in 4 Britons are looking to purchase a new home within the next 5 years, but there will be less of a focus on the property itself, and more on the area surrounding the property.
Miguel Sard, managing director of mortgages at Santander UK said: “We are becoming a recreation nation as we look to minimise the amount of time we spend travelling to and from work, and maximise the time we can spend enjoying ourselves playing sports, enjoying green spaces and socialising in bars and restaurants.”
“Homebuyers are increasingly sacrificing space for location.”
William Naylor of Naylor’s Estate Agents comments: “ Market Harborough is the ideal location for anyone looking to meet the above criteria – the town is only a 1 hour commute from London, and offers open countryside, a thriving independent town centre complete with bars and restaurants, and plenty of recreational opportunities.”