A big shift

Dean McGuigan of Golden Homes on the uplift in customers wanting their new builds in small towns.

Spring is here, and it’s with enjoyment I can open the doors to the backyard during the weekends and feel the sunshine flooding into my happy family space. A place where I can take a breather and enjoy the respite from the hustle and bustle that working in town brings. Here, I can watch the kids enjoying our outdoor space.

In the Golden Homes office we are all feeling a lift in the market, along with a pep in our customers’ steps with their excitement at the prospect of lining up a new home build before the end of the year.

As we all head towards some well- deserved end-of-year relaxation, we are seeing increased customer requests to look at options for living outside the city centre.

We had recently experienced a phase where the request was to live close to town; however, now we are seeing an equal demand from those wanting to leave work life behind at the end of the day and enjoy more space with a short commute.

A flow-on effect from a couple of years ago shows some people still working from home or wanting a space to work from home in the future.

There is an appetite for small towns with a relaxed community feel, larger sections, and more bang for your buck.

Thankfully, this has been made more accessible over the past few years with new roading infrastructure.

Living north, south or west of Christchurch these days has become so much easier and quicker.

Locations such as Amberley, Waimakariri District, Darfield, Lincoln, Rolleston, Leeston and Rakaia are on buyers’ radars these days (especially those who are moving from the North Island, where a commute has always been their normal).

While city living will always be in demand, it’s worth checking out what your budget gets you on the city fringes or further out. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Whether your home is in town or further afield, make sure you take the time to step outside, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the space you’re living in.

0800 22 22 36 | goldenhomes.co.nz