Analysis from Rightmove has revealed that London was 2021’s most searched for location. It overtook Cornwall which was the top location at the start of the year.
London is historically the most searched for, however in January and February interest in Cornwall like it would take last year’s top position.
London overtook in March and April, however interest in Cornwall again spiked from May to September as the most sought after buyers’ location.
The difference in the total number of searches at the end of the year between London and Cornwall was just 3%, compared to a gap of 24% in 2020, and 49% in 2019.
According to Rightmove, the smaller gap reflects buyer preferences in 2021 that changed due to living priorities such as the ability to work from home.
This saw people favour coastal locations.
However, the return of London to the top of searches later in the year highlights its returning popularity.
Rhos On Sea in Wales also topped the list of buyer search hotspots – areas that saw the biggest increase in buyer searches compared with 2020. Searches for the coastal town increased more than nine times (+858%) compared to 2020.
READ MORE: Rightmove reveals the most viewed homes in 2021
Hove in East Sussex came second in the list of hotspots (+680%), and Chadlington in the Cotswolds was third (+211%).
All of this year’s buyer search hotspots are either villages or located near the sea, a sign of the increase in popularity this year for homes in coastal or countryside areas.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data comments: “Having 95% of the UK property market located in one place means Rightmove is the destination that curious and prospective buyers turn to first when beginning their journey of deciding where to move to.
“Our search data gives us real-time insight into what buyers are looking for from their next home, and the areas that are attracting future movers.
“It also gives us a unique understanding of how current events and culture can inspire people to imagine the life that could be in a new area, from countryside living in the Cotswolds inspired by the ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ TV show, to living in what could potentially be the UK’s smallest city in Marazion, Cornwall.”
Rightmove’s most searched for areas 2021
- London
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Bristol
- Glasgow
- Sheffield
- Essex
- York
- Edinburgh
- Dorset
Rightmove’s buyer search hotspots 2021
- Rhos On Sea, Conwy
- Hove, East Sussex
- Chadlington, Oxfordshire
- Breage, Cornwall
- Isle Of Man
- Frizington, Cumbria
- Huntly, Aberdeenshire
- Millport, Ayrshire
- Thorpeness, Suffolk
- Allonby, Cumbria
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