We love all kinds of property at Forbes Estates.
From a one-bedroom studio flat to a sprawling 7-bedroom country pad complete with a swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.
And one of the UK’s favourite types of homes, especially as the population lives longer, are bungalows.
One floor living is getting a lot of love in recent years with both younger and older buyers.
At Forbes we’ve been selling and renting all types of properties since 2009 and there’s not much we don’t know about the different styles of homes including bungalows – especially as we’ve been researching them for the benefits of this article.
Their name comes from the Hindi word “Bangla”, meaning “belonging to Bengal”.
It was used to describe the detached cottages built for early European settlers in India. They proved extremely with members of the Raj seeing them as promoting a healthy lifestyle, perhaps because they were often set in expansive and lush grounds.
When the settlers returned to the UK they waxed lyrical about bungalows.
According to the BBC the first development of homes sold as “bungalows” in the UK opened in 1869 in Westgate, on the north coast of Kent.
The following year, a more ambitious project began at nearby Birchington. These were marketed and sold as retreats for wealthy Londoners.
Over the following years the one level buildings spread rapidly but not everyone was a fan. In fact, a journalist called Thomas Sharp described them back in 1932 as ‘standing for all that is vile and contemptible.’
While Mr Sharp may have had a bee in his bonnet about bungalows their appeal remains strong despite the numbers being built in the UK every year dropping drastically.
According to the National House Building Council In 1996 seven per cent of newly built homes were bungalows. In 2016 this figure was just one per cent. This is because land prices are at a premium meaning developers want to maximise their return by building ever higher to accommodate more homes. Is this the end of new build bungalows?
Nationally there is a real demand and desire for bungalows from people looking for a home with no stairs. The lack of supply of bungalows means they hold their prices superbly well and have many of the lifestyle benefits certain buyers desire.
With more than two centuries of history under their roofs ‘bungalows’ and its close cousin ‘dormer bungalows’ remain as popular as ever. If you’re thinking of selling or renting your bungalow please call our office for the best possible advice and assistance with your moving requirements.
Call 01257 273 324 or drop us an email at info@forbesestates.com
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Best regards
Paul Forbes
