Searches soar in the Highlands & Captain Tom’s hometown makes the top ten

• Home-hunters have been dreaming of moving to a more remote or coastal location during lockdown
• The top ten biggest increases in buyer searches compared to a year ago feature Inverness (+167%) the Shetland Isles (+131%) and Sandbanks in Poole (+64%)
• Captain Tom Moore’s home town of Marston Moretaine also takes a spot in the top ten biggest increases, along with the location of ITV’s historical drama, Belgravia in Central London

The top ten list of the biggest uplifts in buyer searches in April compared to a year ago reveals a desire by home-hunters to find a more remote and scenic location to live, according to new data from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove.

Topping the list is Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, where searches are up 167%, followed by the Shetland Isles, up 131%. For those seriously thinking of moving, the average asking price of a property in Inverness is £201,654, making it an affordable alternative to a number of cities around the UK.

Number three on the list is one of the most luxurious places to live in the UK, Sandbanks in Poole. A six bed waterfront house is currently on Rightmove for almost £7 million, likely to be high up on a lottery win wishlist.

People browsing Rightmove continue to dual-screen, with searches of homes in Belgravia up 42% compared to last April, thanks to the new ITV historical drama of the same name. Those browsing the mansions will find it is one of the most expensive areas of the UK. The lowest price for a three bed property currently on Rightmove is over £1 million in Belgravia, compared to just over £100,000 in Inverness. Mayfair also makes it in to the top ten list.

Captain Tom Moore, who has captured the nation’s hearts while fundraising millions to help the amazing work of the NHS, has ignited interest in his hometown of Marston Moretaine in Bedford. Searches for the town are up 46% this April compared to the same month last year.

]Rightmove’s Housing Market Analyst Miles Shipside comments: “People often use Rightmove to daydream, so it’s not surprising to see some of the search areas on the up being the most expensive in the UK. The beautiful areas in the far north in the list are likely a mixture of people dreaming of living somewhere more remote, and those seriously thinking about changing their lifestyle after lockdown. Locations in Scotland feature three times in the list, and with property prices comparatively affordable compared to others in the top ten, it’s highly likely that properties in these areas will find buyers more quickly when restrictions are eased. As well as the UK public expressing their passion for property, there seems to be a growing desire to find a quiet place to live.”

Agents’ views

Duncan Chisholm, Director of Munro & Noble in Inverness, says:”The city has been developing quickly in recent years and so the fact that it’s still relatively affordable compared to other cities around the UK makes it an appealing place to live. Not to mention the amazing scenery, beaches and hillsides that we’re fortunate to have on our doorstep. It’s a close knit community, something I imagine is quite unique for a city. It’s like we have the best of both worlds as we have the amenities of a city but the feel of a village. In usual circumstances I could be in the middle of the beautiful Highlands with nobody about and then in 20 minutes I can be sitting at my desk in the city.”

Steve Isaacs, Director of Luxury & Prestige in Sandbanks, says: “Sandbanks is the ultimate lifestyle location in the UK though we know there’s only a fortunate few who are lucky enough to afford to live in the area. It has miles and miles of fabulous beaches, the second largest harbour in the world and unrivalled leisure amenities. Add a sprinkling of glamour in the form of an increasing number of celebrities making their homes here and it’s no wonder our beautiful properties have a unique attraction as well as a certain mystique.”

Top ten biggest increases in searches on Rightmove, April 2020 versus April 2019

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