Downsizing

We’re tired of maintenance, gardening and big oil bills. We want to go on holiday and enjoy ourselves! So goes the cry from many people whose families have flown the nest and see a whole new phase in their lives.

There have always been three main reasons for houses selling -death, divorce and debt - now there is a fourth –“downsizing”. The baby boom generation have the health and often the wealth to look to new adventures and “skiing” holidays (spending the kid’s inheritance)!! No more lawn mowing and gutter repairs.

Everything in life is relative and so downsizing. Someone with a six bedroom farmhouse, barns, gardens and land will still look at a four bedroom village house with large gardens whilst those in such a house will look to something smaller, maybe an apartment- but all place minimum maintenance and running costs as high priority. Amenities, access and the café culture feature in the remit -all about pleasure.

Devon has a huge advantage in this market, offering good transport links, aspiring towns, bustling communities within rural villages, city life, Dartmoor, Exmoor and coastal spots the envy of many. Hobbies can be embraced -the world as they say (or at least Devon) is your oyster! Updated houses and new developments all address the demands of “green” living. Blue Cedar Homes, www.bluecedarhomes.co.uk , build high spec houses aimed at the downsizing market with properties currently being offered in Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Chagford to name a few.

Exeter is embracing London style apartment living with concierge services,  supermarkets offer delivery services and the wealth of good farm shops across the county means no one is very far from day to day essentials.

So what to buy?   Little Cresson Hayes at Poundsgate, high on Dartmoor offered by Chartsedge  -01392 832446- a character two bedroom cottage -the perfect lock up and leave. Strutt and Parker -01392 2151631 are selling 21 Shobrooke Village near Crediton. A four bedroom attached village house with pretty cottage gardens. Pyne and Lyon in Exeter - 01392 908118- offer the modern version - a 1960s three bedroom house in perfect order at 3 Elmbridge Gardens.

If these two sound way too small Jackson Stops and Staff -01392 214222- are selling Marine Heights in Whidbourne Avenue, Torquay  -a contemporary  4 bedroom house with lovely gardens, a sea view and walking distance to Meadfoot Beach -so you can holiday at home!

And maybe, downsizing means just a change of lifestyle -the chance to have a few animals, move to a different environment, have the time to create the home you have always hoped for, or even build a new house -the perfect way to get just what you want. Again, Devon is fortunate in having a wealth of quality craftsmen and creative individuals ready to help. Sourcing local materials and discovering the infinite opportunities and options available is time consuming but hugely rewarding -in short -getting involved when previously time has not given you that option.

No matter what the choice of lifestyle home is at the heart of the decision and “it’s all about coming home”.

Nigel Bishop

Founder & Managing Director of Recoco Property Search