December 19, 2011
Seven years. That’s the magic figure the average homeowner chooses to stay put before moving on to pastures new. But as the property market continues to stagnate, that figure looks set to rise in the coming years, according to research from Zoopla.co.uk.
The typical UK homeowner moves house every seven years, Zoopla found, with the most popular reasons for moving were boredom, property envy and irritation with fixtures and fittings in their current property.
Homeowners in the South West have the most stable property relationships and only develop the urge to look around after eight years on average, compared to those in Wales, who move much sooner at six years and three months.
Women are the worst culprits when it comes to itchy feet, with some 60% of them instigating the search for a new property when the seven year tolerance passed.
"Property websites have made looking at what else is out there easier than ever and no doubt there are many supposedly happy homeowners secretly taking a quiet peak whilst their partner is none the wiser," said Nick Leeming of Zoopla.co.uk.
The “property itch”, as some are calling it, will set homeowners back more than £20,000 a time, once all relevant fees and removals have been taken care of. And if you’re considering moving any time soon, it’s important that you shop around for the best deal and right estate agent before signing any dotted lines.
Here’s how average times for property moves differ throughout the country:
· South West England 8 years
· Yorkshire and The Humber 7 years 11 months
· North East England 7 years 10 months
· East Midlands 7 years 9 months
· North West England 7 years 7 months
· East of England, Scotland, West Midlands 7 years 5 months
· London 7 years 2 months
· South East England 6 years 9 months
· Wales 6 years 3 months.
