9 out of the top 10 most sought after locations for new-build housing are located north of Birmingham according to a UK-wide study of consumer demand. Scottish cities also make the top 3.
9 out of 10 hotspots for new-builds were located in the north of England and Scotland, but it was actually Northampton which came out on top as the place with the greatest demand for new-build homes. In fact, with 2,564 searches for new-builds per 100,000 residents, demand in Northampton is 25 times higher than in London.
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Scotland’s cities also proved popular among potential new-build buyers, with 2171 annual searches for every 100,000 residents in Edinburgh and 1994 for every 100,000 in Aberdeen. That gives them the second and third highest levels of demand for new build housing respectively, just above fourth place York (1,766 searches per 100k population) and fifth place Leicester (1,662 searches per 100k population).
Top 10 UK cities with highest consumer demand for new build homes
- Northampton
- Aberdeen
- Edinburgh
- York
- Leicester
- Derby
- Glasgow
- Warrington
- Liverpool
- Leeds
Kitchen fixtures supplier Insinkerator conducted the research as part of their ‘sustainable housing development’ study, which sought to find which UK locations had the highest levels of demand for new-build properties. Their research also outlines what, according to the 270 UK households surveyed, consumers want to see in their new home, as well as the level of trust and confidence respondents had in new-build housing.
London ranks unexpectedly low when it comes to demand for new-build homes, coming in near the bottom of the list at 48th out of the UK’s 50 most populated towns and cities. Annual searches for new-builds in the home were very low, at just 101 searches per 100,000 residents.
Surveying consumers also exposed interesting patterns among potential property buyers. Desire to purchase a house was high among both current renters, with 58% aiming to become homeowners within 3 years, and among existing homeowners, 47% of whom were looking to relocate.
What do house buyers want?
In the last few years, prospective buyers have been considering different factors when purchasing a property. Increasingly, they are seeking homes which are adopted to ensure sustainability, with greater energy efficiency and other green features. With more people working from home or using flexible working practises, there has also been a rise in demand for roomier properties with suitable home office spaces.
- At least two thirds (67%) of prospective buyers considered green space, whether in the form of a garden or access to parkland or countryside, to be a high priority for them
- Environmental and sustainability considerations were also at the front of many people’s minds when house-hunting, with many looking for the following features:
- 61% looked for energy efficient heating and fixtures
- 44% wanted a home fitted for environmentally friendly living, with systems such as food waste disposal, recycling, and renewable energy systems
- 33% preferred a home that had been sustainably built
Confidence in the quality of new-build homes wasn’t high among participants.
However, when asked about the quality of new-build homes, participants in the study showed little confidence. Barely a quarter (24%) said that they felt confident that a new build property would be of a good overall quality and 29% didn’t have faith that the actual construction would be up to scratch. 36% also responded that they felt unsure that new builds would maintain long-lasting value.
In regard to buyer expectations for new-build housing, nearly one third (29%) of respondents believed there should be more emphasis on buyer needs during property construction. 32% expected up-to-date, modern fixtures to have been installed in a new-build, and 30% believed that environmentally friendly waste disposal solutions ought to be included in the house.
Kevin Carr, UK Sales Director at Insinkerator, says:
“We conducted this study as part of our research into UK housing trends and we have uncovered some extremely useful findings, both for suppliers and housing developers. Using this innovative means of gathering data we can see where consumer demand for new build homes lies month on month.
We’ve also been able to tap into what features home buyers are including on their wish-lists when looking for new properties and can see how this has become much more green-focused. Housing developers need to keep up with these changing expectations and fulfil these desires by building properties that are sustainably constructed and include eco-friendly kitchen fixtures that cater to a more green lifestyle, or else risk lost confidence from potential buyers.”
Paul Gibbens, Property Specialist at Housebuyers4u, says:
“The new build market presents buyers with a turnkey solution in that they are hassle free, with guarantees that one does not need to worry too much about any maintenance for a few years. Due to the change in work locations and people predominantly working from home, many people would rather get more for their money through locating to the outskirts of the city of London for instance and in some cases to the country.
With people becoming more environmentally conscious and looking for all the latest technologies to give better efficiencies, the demand for new build housing has been pretty solid over the last decade or so. Many of the things expected in new builds such as double or even triple-glazed windows, insulated walls, roofs, and doors, and energy-efficient heating are all common in new-build properties.”
Chris Lawson, Managing Director at CK Architectural, says:
“The design of housing estates, with various types of housing, green spaces, play areas and even small commercial shops, schools and doctor surgeries have been created as planners recognise the need to create sustainable communities with upgraded infrastructures all to cope with new housing communities.
The demands for inclusive housing, including open market, affordable and first-time buyers and buy to let have all influenced the major developer’s approach to new developments and the design standards they are trying to meet. If you combine this with Government design standards and planning obligations, developers have a lot to juggle. While most developments are built to meet all planning policy and design standards, at times these are not necessarily aligned with the public’s expectations.”
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Millie is a perfectionist with a passion for property and writing articles. You’ll find her researching the latest housing trends and the newest up and coming areas worth investing in. Read more about Millie here.
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