New Build Bungalows Are Back – And Buyers Know What They Want
Recent sales across several of our Lincolnshire developments show just how strong demand is for well designed new build bungalows. Buyers want the benefits of single\-storey living without compromising on space, specification or storage – and we’re seeing double garages becoming particularly desirable\.
New-build bungalows are back
If our recent New Homes sales are anything to go by, demand for new-build bungalows is very much back – although perhaps it never really went away.
Across several developments we’re currently marketing in Lincolnshire, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in bungalow sales. Some have sold before reaching the open market, others from their first viewing, while developments that initially took longer to gain momentum have seen a significant increase in sales following adjustments to pricing.
There is also another trend we’re starting to see quite clearly: buyers don’t necessarily want to downsize everything.
In particular, a double garage is becoming increasingly important.
What does today’s bungalow buyer want?
Bungalows have traditionally been associated with downsizers and retirement. While this remains an important part of the market, many of today’s buyers are looking for something quite different from the smaller bungalows built in previous decades.
A number are moving from substantial family homes. They want the convenience and future-proofing of single-storey living, but don’t necessarily want a significantly smaller home or to compromise on specification, storage and outside space.
Modern new-build bungalows can provide exactly that – generous kitchen and living spaces, good-sized bedrooms, energy-efficient construction, manageable gardens and layouts designed around the way people live today.
Supply is also relatively limited. When the right bungalow becomes available in the right location and at the right price, we’re seeing buyers respond.
The double garage factor
One of the more interesting trends we’re seeing is the importance buyers are placing on garaging.
Downsizing the house doesn’t necessarily mean downsizing the lifestyle.
Someone moving from a larger detached family home may still have two cars, bikes, gardening equipment, tools or hobbies requiring additional space. After years in a larger property, storage can also be a major consideration.
That’s why we’re increasingly seeing a double garage become a genuine selling point rather than simply a nice extra.
Our recent experience at Scawthon Gardens in Sturton by Stow is a good example. Of the three bungalows, two have already sold – and they’re the two with double garages.
It’s only one development, but combined with the conversations we’re having with buyers elsewhere, it’s certainly something developers should consider when planning future bungalow schemes.
Ash Croft – Stonewell Homes
Ash Croft by Stonewell Homes, near Sleaford, is another good example of the impact the right marketing strategy can have from an early stage.
We became involved shortly after the development was first launched, with only the first property having been marketed through the previous agent. Working closely with Stonewell Homes, we put a new marketing approach in place and began building interest across the development.
The response to the bungalows has been particularly strong. Of the ten homes we’re marketing at Ash Croft, three are brand-new bungalows – and all three are now sold.
Two were agreed off-plan without ever needing to be openly marketed, while the third sold following its very first viewing.
It’s been a great example of working closely with a developer, understanding the target market and putting the right strategy behind the development from an early stage.
Scawthon Gardens – Natomar Homes
At Scawthon Gardens by Natomar Homes in Sturton by Stow, we were involved from a very early stage, putting a pre-marketing plan in place before the homes were ready to launch.
That approach generated an excellent initial response, with the first bungalow selling within the first week of marketing.
The second bungalow with a double garage was deliberately launched later in the development. Once construction was complete and buyers could fully appreciate the finished home, it sold soon afterwards.
Two of the three bungalows have now sold, and notably both are the properties with double garages.
It’s another example of the importance of not only getting the product right, but also planning how and when individual plots are brought to market. It has also reinforced something we’re increasingly seeing from bungalow buyers – a double garage can be a significant part of their buying decision.
Legsby Court – Boss Group
The response at Legsby Court by Boss Group in Market Rasen has also been impressive.
We worked with Boss Group right from the early stages of the development, putting together a pre-launch strategy before taking the homes to market.
That early involvement allowed us to plan the launch, build interest ahead of release and make sure the development was positioned correctly from the outset.
The results have been excellent. Five of the six bungalows are already sold STC, with the final plot due to be released shortly.
Legsby Court is a great example of the benefit of working together from an early stage – from the initial pre-launch planning through to marketing, viewings, negotiations and sales.
Shooters Close – Caistor
Shooters Close in Caistor provides a slightly different example – and an equally useful one.
The development initially took a little longer to get going with sales. After reviewing the market response and making adjustments to the pricing, however, we’ve seen a significant change in activity, with four bungalows sold recently.
It’s an important reminder that strong demand for bungalows doesn’t mean price is irrelevant.
Today’s buyers have access to more information than ever and are very aware of value. Getting the relationship between price, size, specification, plot and location right remains fundamental.
The recent results at Shooters Close show the benefit of responding to market feedback. Following the pricing adjustments, buyers responded and sales followed.
What can developers take from this?
Four developments, but four slightly different stories.
At Ash Croft, we’ve seen bungalows sell off-plan and on the first viewing.
At Scawthon Gardens, the two bungalows with double garages have been the first to sell.
At Legsby Court, five of six homes have already sold STC.
And at Shooters Close, reviewing the pricing has helped generate a run of four recent sales.
We would always be cautious about drawing conclusions from individual developments. Every site, location and buyer demographic is different, and simply adding bungalows to a scheme doesn’t guarantee they’ll sell.
However, we’re seeing enough evidence across different developments to say there is strong demand for well-designed and correctly priced new-build bungalows in the right locations.
The important part is getting the product right.
That means considering the overall size and layout, plot position, garden, parking, storage, specification and pricing – and, where the site allows, whether providing a double garage could make the property significantly more attractive to its target buyer.
Talk to us before you start building
At Mundys New Homes, our involvement doesn’t have to begin when a development is built and ready to photograph.
We work with developers from the early stages, using our experience of the local market and, importantly, feedback from the buyers we’re speaking to every day.
That can include advice on house types, layouts, plot mix, specification, garaging and parking, pricing, marketing strategy and the timing of a development launch.
Sometimes relatively small decisions made on the drawing board can make a significant difference when those homes eventually reach the market.
The recent results we’re seeing with bungalows across Lincolnshire are a good example of why that early conversation can be valuable.
If you’re a developer or landowner considering a new scheme, whether it’s a handful of homes or a larger development, we’d be pleased to talk through your plans and share what we’re currently seeing from buyers.
Speak to Tom Bell - 01522 510 044 or 07530 363 235