Welcome to the post-Pan world of property

From the house buying perspective, we’re now in post-pandemic mode. I’ve watched the switch happening in recent months. It’s got some noteworthy twists. At the beginning of 2021, we were still all riding a knee-jerk reaction to Covid. There was a desperate (some would say panicked) rush to escape to the Cotswolds and find a haven. People wanted a second home out of the city. They were flocking out of London and from abroad.

That is still happening now, but there’s a different energy to it. A post-Pan energy. Raw, authentic, and fuelled by the honest need for something different… long term.

So, what exactly has changed? It’s interesting. Last year, people were hurrying to move away from risk. They were looking to create a new, secure space for their loved ones. Now, however, they are seeking a safe bolthole and a lifestyle change. It’s a calculated decision, not a fight or flight response. It’s less stressed, less urgent, and more determined than ever.

To put things in perspective, though, the whole work paradigm is changing. The four-day week is being debated (which day would you choose to ditch?). Those that have been asked to return to the office are saying, “No.”. There has been a structural shift in peoples’ thinking. Families are developing a sense of real value. What they’re seeking now is a quality of life that’s become possible without everyday commuting. We’re talking being at home with the children and the dog; spending time in between board meetings to weed the veggie patch; speaking to the boss on the phone whilst standing naked in the bathroom. And we’re referring to all of this, plus you’re still able do your job well.

I have always worked for myself. Much of the time my work involved travel. In the early days, I was away owning clubs and restaurants in London and Moscow. Glitzy and fun on the outside, for sure, but I was missing something. Now, I have the joy of being in the countryside with my loved ones every day, and it’s priceless. I think the whole nation is coming round to this post-Pan thinking too.

So, how is this affecting the house hunting scene? What I’m seeing now is a continuing drive for the young family with a couple of sprogs to move out of the big smoke. However, the mood has changed at a fundamental level. The post-Pan revolution is creating a new market that has little to do with Covid. Families are no longer escaping; they are actively choosing a better life. They’ve wised up to the joys and benefits of space, air, and countryside.

The spring of 2022 is looking bright but tight

The upshot is that it’s getting tougher for traditional families looking to move for schools. Their values and dreams haven’t changed, but there is a host of other post-Panners now looking to start anew. Competition for properties is stiff, therefore. But with the right know-how, they can still achieve their ambitions. And thus, I would say… fear not, home seekers, the future is still bright.