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Buyers looking for community spirit
19 March 2008 10:30
Homebuyers are more attracted to areas with a strong sense of community, according to a new poll, but that does not necessarily mean they are particularly sociable themselves.
Three out of four people find the presence of a community watch scheme reassuring when purchasing a property, Yorkshire Bank's survey showed, while over half of first-time buyers (FTBs) would pay more to live in an area with a good community spirit.
An emphasis on law and order was also reflected in the fact that nearly three out of five people are keen on living in neighbourhoods with a strong police or community support presence, with these assets particularly attractive to couples, FTBs and over-60s.
Yet there is also a great desire for privacy among Britons, as fewer than one in five expressed any desire to know their neighbours better and three out of five revealed an inclination towards areas operating 'no doorstep selling' policies.
Yorkshire Bank's head of retail Gary Lumby explained that familiarity with neighbours and availability of amenities are integral to communities, but so are security and peace of mind and these are the things that people look for when searching for a new home.
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