Surprises all the way in year like no other

We have almost reached the end of a tumultuous year and one that has confounded all expectations for the housing market.

When the first lockdown came, some estate agents feared that their finances would not see them through and there were sleepless nights filled with worry.

Many forecasters assumed that moving would be the last thing of people’s mind when the housing market unexpectedly reopened with huge amounts of trepidation, but how wrong they were.

The subsequent boom, which has seen house prices rise by between seven and 10 per cent in Yorkshire, revealed the importance of home, especially when the going gets tough. Gardens were among the most searched for “must-haves” as were apartments with balconies and, of course, home offices.

Developers should take note and the savvy are now redrawing house layouts to include a small home office space and a garden. Those building apartments should include communal outdoor space – and by that I mean somewhere green and pleasant where people can meet, relax and get to know their neighbours, thereby building a real, supportive community.

As many of us are now working from home, the value of energy efficiency is also coming to the fore and I write this like a latter day Bob Cratchit with the heating off and a hot water bottle on my knee.

Let’s hope that better home design will be a positive legacy of the pandemic. Here’s to a happier and healthier new year.

Sharon Dale, Property editor

Email: sharon.dale @ypn.co.uk

Twitter: @propertywords