A survey of over 1,000 people reveals that people today desire more independent amenities, with over three in five people choosing independent services when selecting three indicators of an up and coming country town.

When assessing the desirability of an expanding town, the survey shows that a Good Pub Guide recommended inn or a Michelin star restaurant is more sought after than a high street chain bar or restaurant such as Pizza Express.

Independent food shops, particularly delicatessens, organic butchers and patisseries are seen as more indicative of desirable up and coming country towns than chain supermarkets, with certain national brands, such as Asda and Tesco, specifically seen as devaluing an area. However, 63% of the shops that went out of business in 2009 were independent, indicating that the more affordable, better-known option often wins out in reality.

Jonathan Haward, chairman of County Homesearch, comments: ‘The response reveals that people really value access to locally owned and run organisations that offer individuality. This is indicative of a changing attitude to prominent high street brands in Britain, which experienced a surge in popularity in the first half of the decade. Not only do people increasingly see the importance of supporting local businesses throughout the downturn, they also see the presence of independent traditional services as highly desirable in a small town that is beginning to expand.

‘This said, it is only natural that, while many prefer the high street to offer choice and avoid being dominated by the same chain stores, they still appreciate access to a supermarket for convenience and economy and these companies will always have a significant role to play.’

The couple had been viewing properties on the web and discounting them from their search.  Without the benefit of expert local knowledge of the area, this meant that they were discounting properties which may not have appeared to be suitable by the picture and description, but which in fact could well have been just what they were looking for.

And this was the case.  Kirstie arranged for them to see a property they had discounted because of inadequate parking.  What they hadn’t realised was that there was parking available opposite the front door and further parking at the end of the cul-de-sac.

The property was perfect, matched their requirements to the full and as a bonus was under their maximum budget.

Just one of the reasons why you should use a property finder!

A survey of over 1,000 people reveals that what people really look for in a country town are independent amenities. Over 60% of people chose independent services when selecting three indicators of an up and coming country town, while under 40% chose familiar chain brands. Certain global and national brands were even seen by some as devaluing a country town.

When assessing the potential affluence of an area, a Good Pub Guide recommended inn or a Michelin star restaurant is more sought after than a high street chain bar or restaurant such as Pizza Express.

Independent food shops, particularly delis, organic butchers and patisseries are seen as more indicative of a desirable up and coming country towns than chain supermarkets. Certain supermarkets, such as Asda and Tesco, specifically detract from the appeal of the town, according to the survey (see charts below for full results).

Jonathan Haward, chairman of County Homesearch comments: “The response shows people really value locally owned and run organisations that offer individuality. This is indicative of a changing attitude to global brands in Britain. Not only do people see the importance of supporting local business, perhaps not surprising considering the economic situation, they also see the presence of independent traditional services as highly desirable.

“Also interesting is the preference for British over international brands. While brands in general have not scored highly traditional British companies have faired much better than international or global brands.”

Dining out

The Good Pub Guide recommended pub was the strongest sign of an up and coming county town in terms of dining out, with 58% of people choosing it as an indicator that an area was desirable. A Michelin-starred restaurant was also seen as a clear indicator of an up and coming town. Nearly 40% of the sample saw a gastro pub as indicating an up and coming country town – almost twice as many as chose a chain restaurant, at 22%.

Shops

An upmarket home ware store was the highest indicator of a desirable country town in the shops category. with a huge 62% of people selecting this option. An independent bookstore and an antique dealer were both seen as strong signs of desirability, being selected by 46.4% and 44.2% respectively.

An independent estate agent was deemed more indicative of an attractive town than a chain such as Knight Frank.

Food shops

An independent deli (59%) was seen as almost three times as likely to indicate an up and coming town than a chain supermarket (22%). Also more desirable than the chain supermarket was an organic butcher, independent patisserie, local farm shop, organic grocer, and independent wine store.

Brands

The ubiquitous Pizza Express was seen as detracting from the appeal of a town more than it added to it (29% 26%).

For food shopping, the distinctly British and more upmarket brands of Marks & Spencer and Waitrose gained the highest approval (68% and 67% respectively). International brand Tesco, and Wal-Mart owned Asda were deemed as detracting from a town’s appeal rather than adding to it.

British coffee chain Costa was more of an attraction than the American chain Starbucks. Both brands were also seen by many as detracting from the appeal of a town, though Starbucks (23%) by considerably more than Costa (16%).

Recreation

A private art gallery, bespoke florist, and independent cinema were the three most sought after recreational amenities at 50%, 47% and 35% respectively, attesting to the attraction of independently owned organisations. The typically English classic car garage also scored highly at 30%.

Sports and Societies

The desirability of sporting activities slightly bucked the trend. Yoga figures higher on peoples tick list than the traditional country club (43% compared to 34%).

The number one sporting attraction is still the traditionally English game of tennis, which over 50% of people said would add to the appeal of a town more than Polo, Cricket or Golf.

Not even a week in and all here at The County Homesearch Company are beginning to feel a certain election disaffection. Ho hum… yes, it’s political silly season once again, when, fresh from their creativity with expenses, the 2010 class of parliamentary hopefuls are busily busting the hustings, eager to convince us how decent, honest and hardworking they’re going to be for the next 5 years  - if only we’d be kind enough to put our cross in their box.

For us at the County Homesearch Co., after over 30 years in the property market, it’s at times like these that same-old déjà vu kicks in and replays the same daftness that seems part and parcel of every election campaign since Edward Heath had ringlets.

For instance, regardless of the proposed outcome, we’re always staggered by the number of vendors who proclaim that they will not put their houses on the market ‘until after the election’. Why not?

Apart from being a delaying tactic for the less than committed, it makes no sense that as soon as the government goes to the country, people are reluctant to go to market with their most important asset.

What’s it all about?

Right now, there’s no excuse. Indeed, there have been more purchases in the market this year than there are properties available. Hence a fair amount of optimism has been generated and long may this last. Just as we enjoy clear blue days of sunshine, with more forecast, the market feels better for a bit of lively activity. Our advice is to go for it, the more vendors who refuse to ‘wait until after the election’ the better… more houses would be available, more purchasers satisfied and everybody happy.

No room for doom, but we can’t help thinking that this time around, those who procrastinate in putting their house on the market may find that later in the year the buyers who are around now may take their turn to  ‘wait and see’ before venturing into the market. By which time VAT could be on the up, who knows?

This all stems from the fact that we detect an underlying feeling that the general population realises that this country is penniless. They know there will be no gain without pain. So, in order for us to earn some sort of long term economic stability, our debts are going to have to be repaid. Contrary to what the politicians admit to themselves and us, the population of the country is bracing itself for, and indeed welcomes, a period of austerity, so that our slate can be wiped clean and the country put back on an even keel – a mood unmistakably reflected by a recent BBC Question Time audience.

All of us know that this, in one form or another, is inevitable and, as with the recent hike in petrol prices, is not going to induce a feel-good factor. This, in turn, will cause buyers to retreat back to their shells and the vendors to wish that, on this occasion, they had not procrastinated. Carpe diem!

So, welcome to a few Homesearch Hometruths, never pious, sometimes biased, but essentially good intentioned ramblings on the state of the British property market today. With over 20 years in the business and many thousands of broadsheet articles later, we’ve every reason to believe our views are well worth voicing.

We know, that by following this site, you’ll benefit from our nationwide knowledge and experiences of the marketplace, with all its ups and down. So, enjoy…because Wednesday 24^th was Budget Day – and what a Darling occasion it was. Not.

As soon as he opened his famous battered red briefcase, it was clear that the Chancellor’s desperately credit crunched measures were out to win election votes.

Relying on the clichéd premise that our home is our castle, he lowered the drawbridge somewhat for first-time buyers. Whilst the tax blitz on cider might have sabotaged some celebrations, first- time buyers at least, had cause to raise a glass or two, thanks to a two-year stamp duty exemption on homes costing less than £250,000.

Good news indeed, a saving of up to £2,500 is no small beer (but now slightly less cider) and could make an important difference to folks in this much-besieged market sector as to where they can afford to buy–and whether they’ll be able to afford a bed to put in it.

Although most people seemed underwhelmed, in the past, this tax exemption holiday has proved a successful incentive for those eager to get on that slippery ladder. When lowered to £175K, it helped over a quarter of a million new homebuyers enter an increasing elusive property club.

So, well done Darling, like you, we believe it supports not only FTB’s but the entire property market, at a time when it matters most.

To nick an ever-growing supermarket’s byline – every little helps.

The extra cash will no doubt filter through to the general marketplace for homewares, fridges and washing machines, so giving a wider boost to the economy.

But, like all C of E’s, Alistair religiously giveth with one hand and taketh with the other. Not all housebuyers and property people will be happy, because his generosity has been nullified at the other end with an increase from 4% to 5% in the stamp duty on properties costing in excess of £1m from April next year.

It will, undoubtedly, have some effect. Land Registry stats show that 480 homes in England and Wales sold for more than £1m in November 2009. But, hardly a potential vote winner Darling, is it?

Warning. A first-time buyer is exactly what it says on the tin, viz:  a party who is buying for the very first time. Not those who sold when the market was sky-high, stashed their cash, rented short term, with the intention of buying again when prices drop.

Never underestimate the Revenue, they’re well aware of the scam and you will be breaking the law if you make a false declaration with fines of up to £5K and even a little porridge.

Downside for FTB’s is that within just a few months, the Chancellor’s generosity could prove a problem. Judging by what happened last time around, Darling’s ‘divi ‘ could push up house prices, taking property prices out of the reach of those at the bottom of the property ladder.

Who knows, soon, buy-to-let investors could again be the only ones for whom classic one or two-bedroom, first-time-buyer properties are a viable proposition.

Another one of Alistair’s austere property ploys is stopping large homes in expensive areas being let to those on housing benefit. Listen for whoops of joy from the Tory press, but howls of derision and desperation from overcrowded tenants, now forced to put up with less spacious and salubrious accommodation.

As perhaps his parting gesture (keep watching the polls) Darling froze inheritance tax, which must have gone down well with less affluent socialist voters, but did little to impress middle-income householders. With property prices soon expected to rise by 10%, passing on a mortgage-free family home to the children is under threat again. Shame.

For over 20 years The County Homesearch Company with offices throughout the UK has been finding property for private acquisitions and corporate relocations.

Today we are launching our website blog where we will publish interesting anecdotes and updates on today’s property market.

With offices situated throughout the UK we have our eye on the market nationally wherever you are locating and can give honest, credible advice whether you are buying or renting a family home, second home or investment property.