Community spirit important to homebuyers

British homebuyers, although keen on privacy, are still searching for a sense of community and safety when hunting for a new home, according to research from the Yorkshire Bank.

The organisation’s quarterly housebuyers survey finds some 74 per cent of those questioned think a good old British neighbourhood watch programme is positive and reassuring.

Furthermore, over half (54 per cent) of those new to the property ladder would spend more on a house in an area with a strong sense of community.

However, while it seems community spirit is alive and well in some respects, less than one in five (18 per cent) of those questioned by the Yorkshire Bank wanted to get to know their neighbours better.

The research also unearthed an understanding that those at opposite ends of the age spectrum were more willing to build community and neighbourly relations; with 21 per cent of those in their 20s wanting to get to know their neighbours better and 67 per cent of residents in the 60+ category wanting to live among neighbours they could socialise with.

"Having a sense of community is still a very important factor in the buying process and there is a genuine desire for neighborhood watch programmes and community groups," said Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank’s head of retail.

"However, as earlier research by Yorkshire Bank uncovered, people want the best of both worlds, mixing privacy in their home whilst still holding onto community spirit."

Although families top the charts when it comes to seeking out areas with community groups, couples are the most community minded.

Some 66 per cent of people surveyed search for homes with plenty of local shops and amenities and six out of ten (60 per cent) search for neighbours to socialise with.

"Knowing your neighbour and having plenty of local amenities defines a community," added Mr Lumby.

"However, security and peace of mind also have to be considered when thinking about what community spirit means to people. It is these things that people are looking for when in search of a new home."