The team at Hunters Hornchurch takes a very keen interest in what is taking place in the housing industry, and in the local area. We also like to know what people are doing and what they think.
This isn’t because we are nosey or intrusive; it is because we are keen to provide our clients with the best standard of service. The more we know about people, the more we can offer tailored services that help them make the out of life.
Therefore, when Rightmove carries out a survey of prospective property buyers and tenants, we pay attention. With the online property portal remaining one of the leading names in the UK housing market, when they publish a response from the public, it is worth hearing.
What have you enjoyed during lockdown?
Most of the surveys and studies carried out by Rightmove focus on buyer activity, but a recent study focuses on the actions people are enjoying during the lockdown. This is of interest, as is the question which asks people what they expect to do with their time after lockdown ends.
Rightmove discovered there has been a growth in the following activities during lockdown:
· Exercising at home rose by 36%
· Arts and crafts activities rose by 21%
· DIY work rose by 17%
· Gardening indoors rose by 19% while gardening outdoors increased by 15%
· Cooking and baking increased by 12%
Anyone who has spent time on social media will have seen this activity with their own eyes. There was a time when it seemed the entire country was baking sourdough bread or tucking into banana bread. It is good to see people developing new skills and having fun during this trying time, and it will be interesting to see if these habits persist.
What do you want to do after lockdown?
Rightmove also felt it would be interesting to see what habits will persist after lockdown. They asked respondents what activities they have picked up during the lockdown they think they will continue to do post-lockdown, and received the following answers:
· 89% of respondents intend to exercise outdoors in the future
· 82% of respondents say they will continue reading
· 82% of respondents say they intend to continue gardening outdoors
· 78% of respondents say cooking and booking will remain part of their life
· 74% of respondents intend to watch movies and TV shows
· 71% of respondents intend to indulge in arts and crafts
While it is pleasing to see people committing to a healthy and active lifestyle, it is also comforting to see people enjoying laid-back activities. If you are present on social media, it can be draining to see people presenting such a high-powered and energetic lifestyle at this time. There are many ways to deal with a pandemic, and if you like taking things easy or you are indulging in your favourite TV shows, that is perfectly acceptable.
If you are keen to stay in touch with the local housing market, we can help. At Hunters Hornchurch, we are on hand to ensure you receive all the guidance you need in the local property market, and we are here to assist you.
