Shortage of three bedroom semi detached homes in the UK

A majority of estate agents in the UK are experiencing a shortage of semi detached homes for sale with three bedroom properties sought after.

Some 57% say there is a shortage of semi detached properties and 49% report a shortage of three bedroom properties.

This is followed by bungalows and terraced houses, according to the research conducted by Move with Us, a network of independent estate agents.

Three bedroom semi detached properties have sold the best in the last six months and 47% of agents agreed semi detached were the most sought after properties and 66% have found three bedroom homes to be the most popular.

Data from Move with Us in association with home.co.uk shows that the average selling time for a three bedroom semi detached property in Britain is just 71 days, some 55 days faster than the national average selling time for all properties.

Three bedroom semi detached houses are currently selling the fastest in Ashtead, Surrey, where in the postal district KT21, they are selling in an average of six and a half days.

According to Robin King, director at Move with Us, this is because the age of the first time buyer has been increasing over the years and with the 5% deposit brought about by the Help to Buy scheme, many home buyers are now opting to purchase three bedroom properties as their first home.

‘They’re skipping the first rung of the property ladder, forgoing the starter home and moving straight into a property that they can grow into,’ he said.

‘There are also those second steppers that until recently were stuck in starter homes due to the drop in equity the financial crisis caused. Often this type of home mover will also be looking for a three bedroom property,’ he explained.

‘Three bedroom semi detached properties have always been one of the most popular property types and are typically a solid investment,’ he added.