househunters want community spiritHouse buyers in the UK are looking for a sense of community and safety when they are considering properties, according to new research.

Yorkshire Bank's quarterly Housebuyers Survey has revealed that some 74 per cent of buyers consider the presence of a neighbourhood watch scheme to be reassuring, while 54 per cent of those buying their first property would spend more on a house in an area with a strong sense of community.

However, privacy still figures highly, with just 18 per cent stating that they would like to get to know their neighbours better.

Commenting on the findings, Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank's head of retail, said: "Having a sense of community is still a very important factor in the buying process and there is a genuine desire for neighbourhood watch programmes and community groups."

He added that earlier research by his organisation had indicated that people want "the best of both worlds", balancing privacy in their homes with a sense of community spirit.


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