New research from property website Rightmove reveals downsizers are currently driving the property market with 'trading down from a large family house' now the single biggest reason for selling. Some 40 per cent of sellers say they are looking to trade down, compared with 25 per cent who hope to trade up to a larger, more expensive property.
This growing trend is certainly evident in the historic city of Canterbury. Kingsbrook Park, a collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, and three and four bedroom townhouses, located close to the city centre, is attracting a wide range of buyers, from first time buyers to couples and young families alike.
With riverside views and landscaped lawns, Kingsbrook Park residents can enjoy culture and entertainment right on their doorstep, with added benefits of the coast nearby and good transport links both locally and nationally.
The apartments on the riverside development are proving particularly popular with house owners keen to trade down to a smaller property, and to date over 40 per cent of the current phase has been purchased by downsizers.
Tina Dedman, Sales and Marketing Director for Berkeley (Eastern Counties) Ltd, explains: "The apartments at Kingsbrook Park are appealing to downsizers as they offer the benefits of lower maintenance accommodation laid out across one floor, without the need to compromise on space. The apartments all feature large master bedrooms, most with en suite shower rooms, and individually designed open plan kitchen/dining/living rooms.
"In addition to a spacious layout and a high specification finish, the properties also provide private balconies or terraces, many benefiting from breath-taking views of the peaceful River Stour and Canterbury Cathedral ," Tina concluded.
Ultimately, lower maintenance and running costs are advantages of all new build homes - not just benefits that come with downsizing: Kings Court, a brand new phase of contemporary three and four bedroom houses launching at the Kingsbrook Park development, offers just that.
Each property within the Kings Court phase is beautifully designed and is characterised by a high specification finish. The exteriors are intended to complement the riverside setting, and incorporate a modern interpretation of Kentish architecture.
Tina Dedman continued: "There is currently a high demand for new build properties in Canterbury that offer spacious, well designed accommodation with good transport links. Whilst some of the properties are available for occupation now, we also anticipate that the trend for buyers reserving properties off plan at Kingsbrook Park will continue with this new phase too."
The living accommodation for the Kings Court houses is spread over three floors, with well laid out rooms and interiors that are designed to maximise space and light. The open plan living accommodation naturally divides itself into zones for relaxing, cooking, dining or entertaining. With an additional living room on the first floor, it enables families to have a family space on the ground floor, with a more formal adult living room upstairs.
Excellent storage facilities are provided throughout each of the houses, with a large under stairs cupboard downstairs and an additional linen closet on the landing. Upstairs, the master bedrooms benefit from built-in wardrobes.
The Kings Court houses and apartments at Kingsbrook Park are designed to a high specification and with a great attention to detail - both characteristics that are synonymous with all Berkeley homes. Each home is equipped with a fully fitted, individually designed kitchen, complete with integrated appliances, a stainless steel hob and extractor hood. The bathrooms and en suites are stylishly fitted with white Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware and elegant chrome fittings, and offer hotel-style luxuries such as heated towel rails, glass screens and ceramic tiling.