“Have you heard about The Shaw’s?”

“What Shaw’s? “(You’re supposed to say)

“A pint of Guinness, Please. Thank you!” (Come-on Keep Up!)

“Oh! and Jurgen will have nettles and berries, please” (we’ll come to that later)

No doubt there are many who have been only too pleased to buy friend a pint, or a glass of wine and share a laugh and a joke together in a pub beer garden (or pergola sheltered car park) over the last few days – It’s what we do (Brits, I mean – not just estate agents!). Proving, as if there was ever any doubt, the appeal of not just the British pub but the eagerness of everyone to get back to “normal” – like shopping, getting a haircut, going to the gym or the Zoo? (Watch BBC iPlayer HERE – Jurgen and his mates are hilarious! )

And as restrictions ease, more of us get our vaccines and the economy opens-up further there is much to look forward to (providing everyone doesn’t go mad and forget this virus is only being held at bay).

After what seems like endless lockdown, with almost everyone drained by the restrictions we have all had to endure, one thing has become very clear: Over the last year, THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET HERE IN DEVON AND CORNWALL HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY AND IRREVOCABLY.

House prices have sky-rocketed – The most recent Halifax House Price Index says UK prices are 6.5% higher than the same time last year – but here in some hot spots in Devon and Cornwall we’ve seen prices go up by more than 10% in the last six months alone – and as demand continues to outstrip supply, there’s plenty of signs to suggest they may continue to rise in the months ahead.

So, what’s driving this demand? And why are so many would-be West country home movers reluctant to put their properties on the market?

As the pandemic has sparked lifestyle changes for so many of us, Rightmove are reporting Devon and Cornwall are two of the top three most searched-for places to live in the UK. And this is not just a passing trend. Flexible working, the need for more living and outdoor space, access to the coast and countryside, the desire to be closer to family and – so far as many buyers are concerned – still very good value for money, are all features that are attracting more and more out-of-area buyers to the region.

The competition for properties, with many selling before many local home owners have even had a chance to look, let alone make an offer, has caused many would-be home movers to stall putting their properties on the market – until they find – Which, of course, is very difficult if everyone else thinks the same!

Our advice, at Wilkinson Grant, to anyone who finds themselves in the dilemma, is to speak to us. Finding and securing your next home isn’t as easy as buying a beer, or a trip to the zoo (although, we’d recommend both!). Whether you’re downsizing, looking for a larger home or simply want an agent that understands your dilemma, we specialise in solving local home movers problems – WHAT’S YOURS?