Now could be the time to pack up

I’VE never been one to stay in the same place for too long. I’ve lived, travelled and worked in other countries before moving back to Scotland.

And so, after over a year of looking at the same four walls while the pandemic has raged on, I have started to get itchy feet.

Rightmove and Zoopla have become my best friends, as I have spent more time scrolling house listings in the last two months than I have speaking to my mates. There’s just something about having a nosy round other people’s homes, looking at how other people decorate their spaces.

While I love my east end flat, and achieving buying it on my own was a huge moment in my life, I’ve been enjoying looking at what else is out there. I have written previously in this column about wanting a garden and my boyfriend’s need for a dishwasher, not to mention a space we can turn into an office now that we’re both working from home.

So we’ve been swiping through images and searching areas for our next home. I feel now could be the time to pack up and head to pastures new.

However, the housing market might force me to stay put a little longer. News this week is that the housing boom is pushing property prices up by over £7000 for a family home.

Rightmove announced this week that spring buyers are facing the highest demand for houses. Across the UK, the increase pushed average sellers’ asking prices to a new record high of £327,797 in April.

The “mass market” of two-and threebedroom semi-detached homes tend to be selling the fastest, with 30 per cent of those having been on the market for less than a week.

And it’s clear to see when looking around myself.

With my eye on a three-bedroom home, it’s not a surprise I am not having much luck finding somewhere.

My friend put an offer in for a one-bedroom flat and it sold for £25,000 over the asking price.

The crazy demand appears to be unrelenting and it’s making me question whether just now is the right time.

The good news is five per cent mortgages are back, so this could help some people get on the market, which will provide more stability.

As much as I want to move, that traveller in me is always looking for the next adventure.

The dream of a garden might just have to wait, unless we found our perfect home.

There’s always just a feeling you get when you walk into a house and know it’s the right one for you.

I can’t wait for that moment.