Life is short, live the Cotswold dream!
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The way we live our lives has changed considerably since the first lockdown. After a year of being confined to our homes, many people have had the time to reflect on what's important to them in both their personal and professional lives. Working from home has become a much more viable option allowing that dream of living in the country to become a reality!
As a result, we have seen an exponential shift in demand from urban properties to more rural country homes as people migrate from towns, in particular London, to the UK's countryside.
The Cotswolds is currently one of the biggest property hot spots in the UK with 32% of homes selling above the asking price, with buyers searching for their new dream life. The Cotswolds has also seen an increase in buyers wanting second homes in the area, who still need a city base during the week.
What's happening in the Cotswold property market?
Many expected the property market to come to a halt after the first lockdown, however, the Cotswolds, in particular, has again proved that it is one of the most desirable places to live, and now work from as well.
It is has always benefitted from good road and rail connections, the Cotswolds is no more than 2hrs from central London. Combined with investment in faster broadband speeds, an excellent choice of schools, stylish shopping, a thriving café culture and superb country pubs makes it a huge draw for many.
However, this level of demand has culminated in very low stock levels which has resulted in many homes selling in less than a week, or even days of launching to the market. The extension of the stamp duty holiday has also contributed to the increase in demand with homebuyers keen to take advantage of the tax saving. This is great news for sellers, but for buyers this pace can be hard to keep up with.
As a result of the low stock and high demand, the number of properties that have been sold or rented 'off-market' has reached a 4-year high. Offers are being agreed before properties are being listed on online portals like Rightmove and Zoopla creating a very challenging market to navigate!
How can a relocation expert help?
Searching for your dream home is exciting but it can also be time consuming and stressful, especially when combining it with a move to a new area, choosing schools and navigating the new once or twice weekly commute.
That's where property specialists like us come in! Our role is to take that stress away by dealing with everything for you.
Working with an independent relocation agent who can offer local knowledge and useful contacts can be invaluable, and as experienced property finders we are at the top of the list to be notified when new properties come onto the market, which means we often have access to properties that you wouldn't normally find. So whether you're looking for a country estate, a bolthole retreat or anything in between we will work with you to make your move a success and help you live the dream!
Naomi Gleeson - Managing Director | Executive Relocation Plus
Last updated: 03 November 2023 - Please note: This blog was first written over a year old and things may have changed since the blog was written.
