Bungalows for sale

Looking to buy a bungalow? With their open plan layout, single-storey design and great accessibility for young or older family members, there’s a lot to like.

Bungalows for sale

Filters

Looking to buy a bungalow? With their open plan layout, single-storey design and great accessibility for young or older family members, there’s a lot to like.

Sort By

Single storey with flexible accommodation, bungalows are child-friendly, likely to have an open plan kitchen/dining/living area which makes for super-flexible, easy-to-use, bright and airy spaces. They have low-cost maintenance and repairs and are often situated within a large plot with a wraparound large garden.

What defines a bungalow?

A bungalow is a single-storey detached property (meaning it’s not attached on any side). Some defining characteristics include the house being fairly small, with an open-plan kitchen and living room. Bungalows tend to have sloping roofs; if the roof is converted and stairs are added to create another storey it is known as a “chalet bungalow”.

Why are they called bungalows?

The name bungalow comes from the Hindi word “bangala”, which translates as “a house in the Bengali style”. The single-storey houses were adopted in England following their occupation of India in the middle of the 19th Century.

Are bungalows a good investment?

Yes! Bungalows are a good investment for 3 main reasons. Firstly, there aren’t that many of them in the UK. Only 2% of houses in the UK are bungalows, and new ones are rarely built. Why? Because they’re not an excellent use of land as they require a lot of floor space compared to the bedrooms you yield. Basically, the short supply means the demand is kept high. Secondly, some recent research shows that bungalows are back in fashion, with 22% of people in the UK saying they would want their next home to be a bungalow. So, bungalows are back in fashion! Thirdly, it is fairly easy to add value to a bungalow. Not only can you update the interior (often bungalows can be found in a fairly old-fashioned state) which would make them more desirable, you can also extend the property. This is possible either outwards into the garden, or upwards into the loft.

Do bungalows hold their value?

Bungalows tend to be expensive because they are in short supply. The increased demand seen in recent years suggests that bungalows would hold their value. Short supply and high demand means a price will probably build. They have historically been popular with older people, due to everything being on one floor, but they are increasingly popular with all kinds of groups, including disabled people (because access needs are often more easily met than in other types of houses) and families with children, who want to live in an easy, open-plan situation, with a garden.

Are bungalows easy to sell?

Bungalows tend to sell very quickly in the UK. This is mainly because there is a much higher demand than there is supply - so people are really hungry for them when they go to market! They are also easy to sell because they have the appeal that they’re easy to renovate - updating the interior and extending either upwards or outwards is pretty easy to do.

What are the benefits of bungalows?

There are loads of bungalow benefits (this is also a good band name, in case you’re looking for one?) Firstly, bungalows are very accessible, making them appealing to elderly people and those with access needs. Those in a wheelchair, for example, wouldn’t have to adapt the house too much as there are no stairs. Bungalows also have a lot of appealing design features, like the frequent use of the open plan kitchen and living room for example. Bungalows also have a lot of privacy, as they are almost always detached (meaning no direct neighbours). The land around bungalows ensure pretty sizable gardens, plus the option to extend outwards should you want to. Owners also often choose to convert the loft space into another bedroom, creating what’s known as a “chalet bungalow.”

What are the disadvantages of bungalows?

One downside of a bungalow is the poor use of space - a terraced house or even a block of flats may use the same amount of floor space, but have numerous floors or even separate dwellings on top of each other, a bungalow is (by nature) isolated to one floor. This is why they are less frequently built nowadays, particularly in cities where space is more precious. Another disadvantage of a bungalow is, as with all detached houses, they tend to be a little harder to heat. This is because the lack of a shared wall means warmth is harder to keep in. However, heating a compact bungalow is easier than attempting to warm an entire home, which you may only be using a part of.

Are bungalows still being built?

Despite bungalows being fairly in vogue at the moment, they aren’t frequently built. This is because they aren’t an efficient use of space, which is a big focus for UK housebuilders. There is a growing demand for them though, so we may see a surge in the amount being built to try to quench the thirst of the market.

Are bungalows just for old people?

Bungalows are very well suited for elderly people, because of the obvious lack of stairs. They are also good if you use an aid like a wheelchair, walking stick or walker because you can easily breeze between spaces, due to a bungalow’s open-plan nature. They are not just for old people though; lots of families are starting to see the benefits of lateral living and are particularly drawn to the open plan nature of a bungalow. This is helpful for younger kids, due to the reduced need for assistance climbing up and down stairs. Plus the style of house allows families to have their own space, whilst still feeling like they’re sharing a home. A taller terraced house may feel more separate, and a flat wouldn’t necessarily promise the same level of outdoor space and accessibility.

Are bungalows just for old people?

Is downsizing to a bungalow best for you?

Want to free up some money? Kids moved out and want a more manageable space? Finding your multi-storey house difficult to care for? Older “boomerang generation” children threatening to move home got you craving a small space just for you? A bungalow could be a great option for you, particularly if you’re older or have access requirements and plan to have the house as your home to grow old in. One downside to downsizing to a bungalow is their comparatively high cost compared to other houses. If you’re downsizing in order to make a profit, you may want to consider price factors: could a semi detached property make more sense for you financially?

Do bungalows have bigger plots and gardens?

Bungalows tend to be detached properties, outside of inner city areas. Both factors mean they are likely to have bigger plots and gardens. The large plot not only gives you ample outdoor space, but also the option to extend the property should you require some extra space.

Can you extend a bungalow?

Yes! Bungalows have lots of extension potential. Want to extend upwards? You’ve got the loft for that. A loft extension is a great way of adding an extra bedroom or office space onto your home. The only downside is that you’ll have to add some form of stairs (durh) which then means your house is no longer a “proper” bungalow because it has stairs in it. It’s actually then known as a chalet bungalow.

If you want to keep your bungalow a stair-free space, then why not extend outwards? Bungalows tend to be on a sizable chunk of land, giving you ample opportunity for lateral growth, whether it’s a conservatory, a kitchen extension or a “granny annex”. The new demand for remote working options means homeowners are thinking more about how to build an office into their home, and having a garden means you could extend to accommodate an office in your home, or use the space to erect a separate garden shed/office.

Is it a good idea to buy a bungalow?

It’s fairly rare for a bungalow to come to market, and they tend to be snapped up when they do. The high demand and low supply means buying a bungalow is fairly low risk: people want them more than they can have them which = value goes up, demand stays high. Regardless of the profit opportunities, buying a bungalow is a particularly good idea if you’re thinking of staying there for a long time (into old age), thinking of having children (lots of open space for running around), have access requirements or…well…just like bungalows!

Are bungalows cheaper?

Bungalows are actually more expensive per square foot than other types of property, like a semi detached house or a terraced house. They aren’t super cost effective because (by nature) the floor space required only yields a one level house. They are also in high demand, because only 2% of UK houses are bungalows, which means they are in short supply. The large plot of land that often comes part and parcel with the bungalow also makes it more desirable and, therefore, worth more cash.

How much does an average bungalow cost?

The price of bungalows depends on location, amenities, and what level of renovation they’ve undergone, but the average price in 2021 was £314,000, which was a significant increase on the year before.

Are bungalows more private?

Bungalows tend to be more private because they are almost always detached (meaning they have no shared walls). They are usually on a large plot of land, which affords you lots of freedom and privacy for any naked sunbathing you plan on doing.

Find your borrowing potential

Mortgage advice, without the fuss

Find the best possible rate and borrowing options for you

Friendly, straightforward mortgage advice — without the jargon

Access to over 90 lenders and over 12,000 deals

Strike feel free

Why Strike

Our Services

Useful Links

About Strike

Our services

Useful Links

Terms of useCookie policyPrivacy policyComplaints procedureLegal