Buyer demand for new-builds surges in Devon as commuting falls, reveals housebuilder boss

- 26 Nov 20

House buyer demand for new-builds has shot up in Devon as commuters swap the rush hour for home offices and rural and coastal locations, says a county housebuilding boss. Paul Moran, regional managing director at Vistry South West, says he hasn’t experienced a better time to buy in more than three decades, and that home hunters are rushing to purchase properties with studies and modern, open layouts as the need to travel into cities and towns wanes. Vistry – which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes – has seen strong recent sales in the south west and across the country despite the current lockdown and Covid restrictions. Paul, who lives in Holcombe, added that many home owners were now making a lifestyle choice and deciding to be near the sea and countryside, including downsizers, growing families, second home buyers, retirees and young couples. The former sales director, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the housebuilding industry, said: “Many buyers who were commuting across to London realised they could do their job working from home and it’s meant lots have decided to make a lifestyle choice and are now choosing to live by the sea and work from their home office. They realise they don’t need to be on the train all the time, heading into the city. There have been high numbers of people moving permanently out of the city to the south west too. “Housebuilding is at the top of the country’s agenda and support for the industry is unprecedented. The phrase ‘there’s never been a better time to buy’ gets churned out, but in my 33 years’ worth of experience, there really hasn’t. The specification, energy efficiency, insulation and general quality of homes that are being built now are second to none. It’s also great being close to the beach and being able to walk along it for a bit of calm, I love it. “The south west offers buyers something different. If you take Bovis’ Shorelands location in Bude, in Cornwall, that’s a large seaside location and we get demand from across the country. Locations in Exeter like Linden’s Tithe Barn or Sandrock have been more commuter developments for those with city jobs. Exeter is the main city in the area and many of our buyers have worked or commuted through there. We’re very excited about our first location in Wellington, called Monument View, which is going to have both Bovis and Linden products on it. There’s a huge opportunity for us in Vistry South West with the two brands and what we can do on each new development to attract home buyers. “We have differently sized locations and a wide array of house types and that’s what makes Vistry South West so fascinating. Purchasers include downsizers moving from cities into our four and five-bedroom detached houses, locals, growing families, second home buyers, and retirees or younger couples wanting to be near the sea. We have all types of buyers – every type you can think of.” For more information on Bovis or Linden Homes locations and properties in the south west, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk or www.lindenhomes.co.uk.