It really IS happening - more buyers now wanting homes out of London

A quarter of vendors and buyers contacted by a high-end agency say the lockdown and the Coronavirus crisis have made them more likely to purchase a second home.

The survey was conducted by Knight Frank, which has already reported many London-based purchasers are looking outside the capital.

Shortly after the housing market was restored following the lockdown, Knight Frank noticed that only 45 per cent of London-based buyers searching its website actually looked for a home elsewhere in the capital - this contrasted with 62 per cent earlier this year. 

Instead the south west and those parts of the south east away from London were showing increased searches.

Now the agency says a new survey shows that the top three most popular amenities for a new property were a large garden, outdoor space or access to land, following by a home office or study - all featuring in more than 50 per cent of responses.

Ed Hunt from Knight Frank’s Winchester office says there had been a “massive London influx”, with an increase in potential buyers looking for both main and secondary homes.

“I’m currently marketing a chocolate-box cottage with a thatched roof and three-bedrooms which is a classic bolthole for those looking for a second home. These sorts of properties are attracting lots of interest.”