by Demand for flats is reviving in UK cities, as property buyers return to more settled working patterns, new research shows.
Interest in flats overtook searches for terraced houses since the start of this year, property portal Rightmove said.
But the hunt for extra space, which dominated during the pandemic, remains a key factor for buyers and renters.
“Annexe” is buyers’ most popular search term, Rightmove said, with garages and gardens also high on the list.
The property website analysed its data for the BBC to show how buyers and renters looking for properties were shifting their priorities.
A picture has emerged of a renewed interest in urban and commuter areas, and a shift in the type of property being sought.
In January last year, a terraced house was the most popular, it said, ahead of detached houses and flats. A year on, flats recorded the highest demand.
“In the initial stages of the pandemic, houses stole the show, as people looked for as much room as possible. As restrictions have eased, being closer to city amenities has become more of a priority,” said Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property data expert. read more >>>