How new home buyers and developers are looking for a slice of ‘country life’
June 7, 2017- ‘Park’, ‘Green’ and ‘Gardens’ become most popular names for new housing developments
- Top 5 UK house builders developments analysed as ‘country’ inspired names top the list
- Heritage theme continues, as development designers opt for names linked to quintessentially English identity
Latest research shows that ‘new build’ developers are drawing on nature and ‘country life’ for inspiration, as ‘Park’, ‘Green’ and ‘Gardens’ top the builders’ choice of titles for their new developments.
The research conducted by My Home Move, the UK’s leading provider of mover conveyancing services, looked at over 400 developments from the UK’s top 5 housebuilders*, to discover that when it comes to bricks and mortar, a name which evokes a sense of natural beauty and heritage proves more popular than an urban inspired moniker.
Commenting on these findings, Mark Snape, Corporate Distribution Director, of My Home Move said,
“We are known the world over as a nation of home owners and keen gardeners; and as such we’re not surprised that buyers are inspired by the idea of an escape to the country – especially in the wake of recent economic and political upheavals. When people are under stress they crave safety, security and a sense of community – an idea which these builders are investing in, and for some developments, spending close to nine years creating.
“‘Green’, ‘Park’ and ‘Gardens’ suggest open spaces, rolling hills and countryside; while ‘Manor’, ‘Grange’ and ‘Court’ play on our sense of heritage and history – all of which appeal to peoples’ aspirations to own a little bit of Britain.”
‘View’, ‘Place’, ‘Manor’, ‘Grange’, ‘Court’ and ‘Saint’ (St.) also ranked highly within the developers’ cannon of names; while house styles and designs continue to evoke a sense of English heritage, with names like Cambridge, Welford, Oakham, Beaumont and the Wessex being chosen by the developments’ designers. (Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey)
Continuing, Mark Snape said, “It would seem that despite our love of gadgets, smartphones and connective technology, as home owners and buyers we are still looking for our homes to represent more than just bricks and mortar; we want them to provide us with an identity. And as our home owning aspirations keep on growing year-on-year, with new build sales now accounting for one in every 14 transactions and 57% of aspiring first-time buyers feeling hopeful about getting onto the property ladder*, it would seem that there is real value in a name.”
* Data is available upon request