Norfolk continues to be one of the UK’s top aspirational locations in which people are choosing to make their home. With more than its fair share of Norfolk-born people returning to their home county from other parts of the country – and the world – the pull of the beautiful countryside and waterways, and the more relaxed home lifestyle is continuing to prove irresistible.
Whatever your property or location preference and wherever your budget sits, it seems Norfolk continues to grow in popularity across all price ranges and property types, and there seems to be no let- up in the number of those of us lucky enough to want to call Norfolk ‘home’.
But what locations, and what type of properties are most popular right now, across Norfolk’s coastal and county hotspots and in the city? We asked members of the Norfolk & District Association of Estate Agents for their views.
On the coast “The North Norfolk coastal effect has rippled outwards but it’s not easy to generalise on the wheres and whys,” says Frank Davey of Allgood & Davey. “Brancaster, Burnham Market, Blakeney and Wells still have a cachet and support both retirees and second homes, beyond the affordability of much of the local population. There are some buyers who are looking for the lifestyle changes afforded by working from home.”
“Quite recently we have seen an increase in demand for the towns and villages east of Sheringham, such as Overstrand and Mundesley” says Clive Hedges, manager of Arnolds Keys’ coastal office. “However, there is consistent demand, and coastal properties are still commanding a premium.”
The pandemic has had an effect, according to Ben Marchbank of Bedfords. “Alongside the pandemic increasing demand to the extent that almost every property has been snapped up quickly, we have seen a small but noticeable increase in the number of people relocating to north Norfolk.”
Supply remains an issue, says Clive Hedges. “Until someone has invented floating houses, then land will always be at a premium and there is very little coastal land left to build on. But supply has started to increase very gradually.”
Frank Davey also sees supply issues keeping prices high. “With much of the coastal margin in North Norfolk declared an area of outstanding natural beauty, there’s a limited scope for new development and with no fall in demand, so prices will remain well above the levels further inland.”
In the county “The NDR has opened up the north of the county both in terms of accessibility for the Broads and beaches, but also to allow those already living there to more easily reach the A11 and A47, enabling some to travel further distances for work, with less time in the car,” says Jan Hÿtch of Arnolds Keys.
“Whilst larger traditional country homes with grounds and gardens may be out of reach of most of us, the new developments that the improved infrastructure has enabled is slowly increasing the housing stock in a number of areas, most notably Rackheath, Plumstead, Salhouse, Drayton and Catton.”
“The NDR has freed up lots of land for residential development, particularly in the north-east Norwich growth triangle north of Thorpe and running to parts of Sprowston and Rackheath,” agrees Frank Davey.
“Perhaps it’s not that some places have become less popular, but that some have become more popular than others. The NDR does not really help journeys into Norwich, and it was never intended to be a proper ring road – it’s not that user friendly to drive across either.”
Other county locations are also hotspots, says Jan Hÿtch. “South of the county, Cringleford, Hethersett, Wymondham and Attleborough remain popular, whilst equally accessible Loddon, Dereham and Watton have also grown in terms of new homes and buyer demand.”
In the city “With a high percentage of our sales being terrace houses in NR1, NR2 and NR3, we are often having over 20 viewings on these properties in the first week of marketing, which is then resulting in multiple offers way in excess of the asking price,” says Jack Hubbard of Gilson Bailey.
“The centre of Norwich is always popular, especially the historical areas around the city centre with the unique architecture, historical interest and convenience,” says Joanne McIntyre of Musker McIntyre. “We find that more mature buyers are moving back into the city in order to have an easier life with everything on their doorstep. Outdoor space is always very popular, especially roof terraces with views or perhaps a hidden garden gem in the heart of the city.”
Both city centre and traditionally in-demand city areas remain popular, according to Katie Mountain, Arnolds Keys’ city office manager. “Popular areas remain with Thorpe Hamlet, Thorpe St Andrew, South and South-Western sectors of the city. We have also seen an increased demand for city centre, especially near the river.
“With supply still outstripping demand and buyers widening their search areas, we have not seen any particular areas becoming less popular.
“City centre properties, especially apartments and terraced properties, have been very popular with first-time buyers and investors in recent months. Bungalows and houses from £300,000 up to £500,000 in suburb areas remain in high demand for the growing family.”
Frank Davey says: “Norwich has gained popularity after the pandemic with a more relaxed attitude to remote working, people can live and work from home and spend a day or two in London, especially if they have a partner with a job in Norwich.”
“There’s not much evidence of seeing people want to move out of the city (or its more popular suburbs such as Colney, Cringleford and Thorpe St Andrew), except where house prices are beyond their affordability so they have no option.”