demographics

Middleton Advisor’s most recent Market Insights report highlights how the UK’s prime housing markets will evolve over the next 30 years due to demographic shifts, such as an ageing population and changing generational preferences. With healthier, wealthier elderly populations seeking to “age in place” rather than move to care homes, demand for high-quality homes in desirable rural and urban areas is set to rise. This could slow the recycling of prime properties, creating pressure on sought-after locations.

Most homeowners live in their property for about ten years before selling. Homeowners without a mortgage stay longer, typically for 24 years. However, this doesn’t stop them from hanging on reports on whether house prices are up or down, even though in the majority of cases these movements are notional returns that won’t be realised for many years.