In The Press…
Our Director, Jennie Hancock, has been featured in The Times today in an article about downsizing. Property Acquisitions were asked to help pinpoint the number of households downsizing, the kind of properties they tend to move to and from, reasons for moving and popular downsizing locations. We were also asked if any of our clients would be happy to speak with The Times about their downsizing journey. Luckily, and very gratefully, one of our buyers said yes, and so we are delighted to see that she (Karen) is the lead story in the piece.
Whilst Jennie said:
“The age of the traditional downsizer is starting to fall to as low as the 50’s. If you look back to ten years ago, the retirement scenario tended to be that somebody worked in the city, retired and then life (and an income) came to a complete stop. However, I believe the working from home element has helped people re-evaluate how they live and what they live in. This means those in their 50’s are taking advantage of the opportunity to retire far slower over a five to ten year period, where they can still have a salary or an income.
Lifestyle is very important for downsizers now, fitting a house choice into it. A lot of focus is on health and wellbeing, highlighted through literature that people have read during covid times. Dog walking, walks with friends and family, watching the polo, golf – these are gentle ways of being active but still a wonderful way to explore the South Downs and beyond. These activities can also double up with social events. For example, if a downsizer is buying in the Petworth and Midhurst patch, they can combine their wellbeing activities with lunch or coffee on the local high streets or surrounding villages. There are some superb pubs such as the Three Horseshoes in Lickfold and The Noahs Ark Inn in Lurgashall, whilst Cowdray Farmshop & Cafe is a very popular choice too. Plus the coast isn’t too far away. This makes the idea of downsizing earlier far more attractive. It also helps release more of the lovely large country houses far earlier than usual, which will be good for the property market.
These downsizers tend to buy smaller houses, losing a bedroom and a bathroom, and reducing their garden size. They want the prime villages that surround Chichester, Midhurst and Petworth, where they have great access to pubs, a village store, fetes, theatres and so on, alongside great country walks. Lock up and leave is also important so that they can travel more. Covid-19 has brought about a desire to explore more of the British Isles, not just overseas, which people see in a completely different light now.”
