Research reveals soaring numbers want to move house in the UK in 2011

Research reveals soaring numbers want to move house in the UK in 2011

Some 30% of people are planning to move home in the UK this year, more than three times the level at the height of the economic downturn and despite austerity measures, new research suggests.

While there is normally a gap between those planning a move and those who actually make the leap, the research from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks reveals the biggest single increase since October 2008 when just 9% of people planned to move home.

‘It is greatly encouraging for the property market that more people are clearly keen to move but, of course, there is still natural caution in the market,’ said Steve Reid, retail director for Clydesdale Bank.

‘It’s understandable that many people will have put off moving in the last couple of years so the potential demand is there. But the conditions will have to be right for the individual house buyer to see that demand translate into a move,’ he added.

The research suggests that potential house buyers are most optimistic in the South East where 40% say they are planning to move. In contrast only 22% of those surveyed in Scotland said they plan to move over the next 12 months.