Hotspots for the over 55's

The buying power of the over 55s should not be underestimated. Last year they accounted for 29% of property purchases or a total of 270,000 homes across England and Wales.

Published under Downsizing and Research — May 2021

The buying power of the over 55s should not be underestimated.  Last year they accounted for 29% of property purchases or a total of 270,000 homes across England and Wales.  Having already built up equity in their homes, their spending power - at an average of £325,000 - was some £11,000 more than those aged under 55.

While many older buyers look to downsize, it’s detached houses that they want to buy.  In fact, the over 55s are twice as likely to buy a detached home than younger purchasers.  Our research shows that some 39% of buyers aged over 55 chose a detached property over any other house type.

The countryside and the coast are where these buyers want to be.   The South West, where 38% of all buyers are those aged over 55, is their top spot.  Here they spend an average of £373,130.  London, with just 15% of over 55 buyers, sits bottom of the list. 

Seven out of the top 10 areas with the highest concentration of homes bought by over 55’s were on the coast.  North Norfolk topped the list, where 67% of buyers were over that age band - 54% of whom used cash to fund their purchase.  The local authorities of Rother in East Sussex and East Lindsey in the Midlands which incorporates the Lincolnshire Wolds and Skegness follow with 63% of buyers over the age of 55.

Like many other households, it seems as though the pandemic has increased baby boomers’ desire to move.  While many over 55’s sat tight during the lockdown days, with the vaccine rollout well underway, more are now choosing to relocate nearer family.   We expect this trend to continue over the remainder of the year, with over 55’s accounting for a larger share of all buyers in the market.  

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Aneisha Beveridge

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