Bungalows can be harder to sell than standard two-storey homes due to their limited buyer pool, higher price per square foot, frequent need for modernisation, and the fact that many come to market as probate sales requiring substantial updates, though recent data shows strong demand from downsizers and retirees creates excellent opportunities for well-presented properties.
The bungalow market presents fascinating contradictions that surprise many sellers. While bungalows account for just 8% of England’s housing stock with only 1.8 million properties, demand has exploded with over 9 million older people (72%) wanting more bungalows built and nearly 5 million (38%) seeking bungalows as their next home.
Market data reveals that 76.1% of bungalows entering the market successfully sell compared to 71.1% for houses, yet 42% of listed bungalows already have buyers lined up. The challenge lies not in lack of demand but in presentation and pricing, with average bungalow prices reaching £346,039 in 2023 – a 12.1% increase compared to 8.97% for houses during the same period.
Table of Contents
Are Bungalows Harder to Sell?
Understanding what influences bungalow sales helps sellers make informed decisions about timing, pricing, and marketing strategies. The following table breaks down the main elements that determine how quickly and successfully a bungalow sells:
| Factor | Impact on Sale | Key Considerations | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer Demographics | Limited to specific groups | Mainly retirees, downsizers, families with young children | Target marketing to these groups |
| Property Condition | Often needs updating | Many are probate sales requiring modernisation | Price to reflect condition or invest in key updates |
| Location | Regional variations significant | East Midlands/East England have 14% bungalow stock vs London’s 2% | Understand local market dynamics |
| Pricing | Higher per square foot than houses | Premium for single-storey living | Realistic pricing essential for quick sale |
| Market Timing | Seasonal preferences | Spring/summer preferred for garden viewings | Time marketing for optimal seasons |
This breakdown reveals why some bungalows struggle while others achieve quick sales. The key lies in understanding your specific circumstances and local market conditions rather than assuming all bungalows face identical challenges.
Why Do Bungalows Take Longer to Sell Than Houses?
Bungalows face unique selling challenges that don’t affect standard houses, primarily stemming from their specialised buyer market and often outdated condition when they reach the market.
Limited Buyer Pool Restrictions
The bungalow market attracts specific demographics: retirees seeking single-storey living, families with young children prioritising safety, and buyers with mobility concerns. This narrower audience means fewer potential viewers compared to houses that appeal to broader family groups and age ranges.
Higher Price Expectations
Bungalows command premium prices due to land usage efficiency and single-storey convenience. Many buyers baulk at paying more per square foot when they could purchase a larger house for similar money, particularly younger buyers focused on space over accessibility.
Frequent Modernisation Requirements
Most bungalows hitting the market come from elderly owners who deferred maintenance and updates for years. Buyers today expect modern kitchens, contemporary bathrooms, and efficient heating systems that many bungalows lack.
What Makes Bungalows Difficult to Market Successfully?
Several inherent characteristics of bungalows create marketing challenges that experienced sellers need to address proactively.
Parking and Privacy Concerns
Modern families expect multiple parking spaces, but many bungalows were built when single-car ownership was normal. Additionally, single-storey homes often suffer from overlooking issues that compromise garden privacy – a significant concern for families with children.
Energy Efficiency Challenges
Bungalows typically have higher heating costs due to all walls being exposed to external temperatures, unlike houses where internal walls help retain heat. Poor Energy Performance Certificate ratings can deter environmentally conscious buyers worried about ongoing running costs.
Dated Internal Layouts
Original bungalow designs often feature small, compartmentalised rooms that feel cramped compared to modern open-plan preferences. Narrow hallways and small doorways can also feel restrictive to buyers accustomed to contemporary house layouts.
Are Bungalows Actually in High Demand Despite Selling Challenges?
The apparent contradiction between selling difficulties and market demand reflects a supply-demand imbalance rather than fundamental market weakness.
Overwhelming Buyer Demand
Research from McCarthy Stone reveals that demand for bungalows is almost double the existing supply, with 5 million people wanting bungalows but only 2.5 million properties available. This suggests that well-presented bungalows should find ready buyers.
Regional Market Variations
Bungalow availability varies dramatically across the UK. London has just 2% bungalow stock while the East Midlands reaches 14%, creating regional hotspots where demand far exceeds supply and properties sell quickly.
Downsizing Trend Acceleration
The energy crisis and cost-of-living pressures have accelerated downsizing trends, with 41% of home movers downsizing in 2023 compared to 32% the previous year. This demographic shift strongly favours bungalow sales for the coming decade.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Bungalow in 2025?
Bungalow sale timescales depend heavily on condition, pricing, and local market dynamics rather than property type alone.
Ready To Move In Properties
Well-maintained bungalows in popular areas often sell within 4-8 weeks, benefiting from limited supply and strong demand from cash-rich older buyers who can proceed quickly without mortgage delays.
Properties Requiring Updates
Bungalows needing modernisation face 6-12 month sale periods through traditional estate agents, as buyers often struggle to visualise potential and secure renovation financing alongside purchase mortgages.
Probate Sale Complications
Many bungalows enter the market through probate proceedings, adding 3-6 months to timescales before marketing can even begin. Combined with condition issues, total sale periods can extend to 12-18 months.
Why Do Most Bungalows Come from Probate Sales?
The connection between bungalows and probate sales reflects demographic patterns that create specific selling challenges.
Elderly Owner Demographics
Bungalows typically house older residents who chose single-storey living for mobility reasons. When these owners pass away or require care, properties often haven’t been updated for 20+ years, requiring substantial investment before sale.
Deferred Maintenance Patterns
Elderly owners frequently defer major improvements like new kitchens, bathroom updates, or heating system replacements. Executors then face decisions about investing in improvements or accepting lower sale prices.
Family Decision Complexities
Multiple beneficiaries often have different opinions about renovation investment versus quick sale. These discussions can delay marketing while costs accumulate and property condition potentially deteriorates further.
Should You Sell Inherited Property Quickly if It’s a Bungalow?
Inherited bungalows present unique considerations that often favour quick resolution over prolonged marketing attempts.
Mounting Holding Costs
Empty bungalows generate substantial ongoing costs including council tax, insurance, heating bills to prevent damage, and garden maintenance. These expenses quickly accumulate while families debate renovation strategies.
Market Timing Pressures
Property markets change rapidly, and delayed decisions about improvements can mean missing optimal selling windows. Quick sales eliminate market risk while providing immediate liquidity for beneficiaries.
Family Relationship Protection
Extended discussions about renovation budgets and sale strategies can strain family relationships during already difficult times. Guaranteed sale options remove these pressures while ensuring fair value for all parties.
What Are the Main Challenges When Selling an Older Bungalow?
Understanding common bungalow selling obstacles helps families prepare realistic expectations and solutions.
Outdated electrical systems requiring complete rewiring for safety compliance
Original single-glazed windows affecting energy efficiency and buyer appeal
Small galley kitchens that feel cramped compared to modern open-plan expectations
Avocado bathroom suites from the 1970s-80s that immediately date properties
Inadequate insulation creating high heating costs and poor EPC ratings
Limited storage solutions compared to houses with multiple floors and built-in cupboards
Garden maintenance backlogs where elderly owners couldn’t manage upkeep
Reddit Community Insights
Online discussions reveal common misconceptions and practical realities about bungalow sales that Property Saviour encounters regularly.
Many families assume bungalows will sell quickly due to media reports about high demand, but discover that condition issues significantly impact buyer interest. Properties that “haven’t been touched in 50 years” require substantial investment before attracting serious offers.
Heating costs frequently surprise potential buyers, with all walls exposed to external temperatures creating higher energy bills than equivalent houses. Poor EPC ratings immediately flag these concerns during viewings.
First-time buyers often express interest but struggle with affordability when bungalows cost significantly more per square foot than houses. Cash-rich downsizers prove more realistic prospects, but they’re also more discerning about property condition.
Property Saviour has observed that many bungalow selling challenges stem from unrealistic pricing rather than fundamental market problems. Families often expect premium prices for dated properties, leading to extended marketing periods and eventual price reductions.
Why Choose Property Saviour Over Estate Agents for Your Bungalow Sale?
Selling a bungalow through traditional estate agents often means months of uncertainty, expensive renovation demands, and endless viewings from buyers who ultimately walk away due to condition concerns or heating costs.
Property Saviour understands the unique challenges bungalow owners face – from outdated layouts to EPC rating worries – and we buy properties exactly as they are, eliminating the stress of costly improvements and lengthy marketing periods.
Our guaranteed cash offer provide the certainty and speed that families need, whether you’re dealing with inheritance decisions, care funding pressures, or simply want to move forward without the emotional drain of prolonged sales processes.
We’ve helped countless bungalow owners across the UK convert their properties into immediate cash, allowing them to focus on their future rather than worry about property chains, mortgage delays, or market fluctuations. Request a free, no-obligation call back today to discover how we can provide you with a fair cash offer and complete peace of mind.
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
