Devon homeowners live in six homes during their lifetime

Homeowners in Devon are likely to live in six homes during their life according to a new survey from a leading housebuilder

The Barratt Homes study into house moves reveals that the vast majority of the county’s residents were found to be real home-birds - with 31.5 percent expecting to move home just four to five times in a lifetime.

Looking at the age of respondents, the older they are, the slightly higher (and more accurate) the number, with older people averaging six homes in a lifetime, while younger people
anticipate moving four times.

The trend - perhaps surprisingly - goes against the fact the younger generation are perceived as more fluid and transient, the job market more volatile and the world in general ever more travelled and easier to explore.

Of the factors that encourage Devon homeowners to find and stay in an area, the main reason is affordability (46.9 percent), followed by good local amenities (46.15 percent), being close to friends and family (43.85 percent) and good transport links (40.8 percent).

Criteria which doesn’t rank so critically includes access to local attractions, sports and entertainment (20 percent) and being close to good schools (25.4 percent).

Barratt Homes sales director Sara Parker said: “We can take from this survey that people in Devon are generally happy with their homes. They choose to stay in the area for reasons such as proximity to work and to services while family and friends play a big factor in their decisions.”

She said the fact that new homes are designed to be flexible and accommodate couples and families at different times of their lives are likely to mean even fewer moves it the future.

“Buyers like the flexibility of open plan living, the ease of working from home and the build quality and energy benefits of new homes. They know that these homes have been well designed with the future in mind and have been built in sought-after locations.”