Being a homeowner in Cornwall is amazing. I love that we get to live in such a beautiful part of the UK and can so easily be either at the beach or up in the hills on any given day. It really is the dream. I’m very aware, though, that I’m one of the lucky ones, and that house prices in the county have risen over the years by such vast amounts that a lot of local families are now unable to afford to live in the towns and villages that their families before them have grown up in.
It can feel unfair at times, and organizations like the Cornwall Community Foundation are working to address the problem. Still, I can’t deny that there’s a small part of me that relishes not just the fact that we have secured a future for our children down in beautiful Cornwall should they wish to stay here forever, but also that we may well be sitting on a proverbial gold mine.
Source: Unsplash
Unlocking the value in our home
If you’re lucky enough to own even a relatively small property in one of the UK property hotspots, like London or Cornwall, have you ever thought about what your home could buy you in one of the cheaper areas? If you’re up for relocating, then you might be able to significantly upgrade your accommodation without spending anything extra.
How would you go about doing this? If it were me, one simple way could be to sell my house with We Buy Any Home. With the UK housing market so vulnerable and sales always at risk of falling through until the last minute, it’s more important than ever to get a guaranteed price in a timeframe that suits you. Services like these operate throughout the UK and make house selling very straightforward – you’ll get a free cash offer in minutes, receive funds in as little as seven days, and get to choose your own completion date.
Where can you get the best value?
Within the UK, it’s impossible to ignore the classic north-south divide. Head north and you’ll tend to see house prices fall. There are naturally exceptions to this and particular cities or areas of natural beauty that raise the averages, but generally, if you want more home for your money, steer clear of the south.
Many parts of Wales rank high in terms of property affordability, as you can see from this research published by BBC News. Steer clear of areas like Cardiff, though, and opt instead for areas like Neath Port Talbot if you want to get the best possible value.
Source: Unsplash
Striking a balance
Now I’m not saying you should up sticks right now and head to some remote but cheap derelict home in the middle of nowhere – there has to be a balance between affordability and still maintaining the lifestyle you want, so make sure you think properly about the area you want to live in and what it needs to offer you and your family.
I think for now, as small as our house might be, being part of such a beautiful landscape is going to keep us in Cornwall for now.