The Lasting Appeal of Bungalows in Today’s Housing Market

Bungalows have long been popular thanks to their ease and accessibility, but demand has broadened in recent years. First time buyers and young families are increasingly drawn to the practicality of having all living space on one level. At the same time, a lack of new, energy efficient bungalows means demand continues to exceed supply.

Across Scotland, bungalows continue to attract strong interest from a wide range of buyers, despite making up only a small part of the housing stock. The combination of limited supply and broad appeal means that when a good bungalow comes to market, it rarely goes unnoticed.

A Limited Supply by Any Measure

When you look at the numbers, it becomes clear why bungalows are so highly sought after.

Over the past 12 months:

• City of Edinburgh recorded just 538 bungalow sales
• Glasgow City saw 300 sales
• Even across large regions such as Highland, there were only 1,506 sales in total

In many areas, fewer than 300 bungalows changed hands across an entire year. With new housing development typically focused on multi‑storey homes, most bungalows come from existing stock and that keeps supply tight.

Focused Buyers and Resilient Demand

Buyers actively searching for a bungalow tend to be highly committed to that property type and are often unwilling to consider alternatives. In most cases, they only begin to compromise if rising prices place bungalows completely beyond their reach.

We frequently see purchasers prepared to be flexible on location in order to secure the right bungalow, rather than opting for a two-storey home. This readiness to adjust other criteria, while remaining firm on property type, clearly underlines the strength and resilience of demand for bungalows.

What Happens When a Bungalow Comes to Market

This shortage is reflected not just in statistics, but in what we see day to day.

Recent sales clearly illustrate the strength of demand:

• Yew Tree Cottage, Edinburgh welcomed over 100 viewings, a level of interest rarely seen for comparable property types
• Netherby, Edinburgh attracted more than 10 offers at closing date, despite more measured market conditions elsewhere
• Look Aboot Ye, Penicuik sold for over 20% above its asking price, underlining just how competitive bidding can become when buyers are presented with a rare bungalow opportunity

These results aren’t unusual for well located bungalows. When opportunities are limited, buyers tend to act decisively.

As Andrew Smith explains:

A Consistent Price Premium and Why Its Justified

In viability terms, bungalows generally need to be priced at a premium. They are more land intensive by nature and can’t achieve the same construction efficiencies as two‑storey homes, so a higher £/sq ft is often necessary to make developments work.

For example:

• In G77 (Newton Mearns), a four‑bed bungalow achieved around £357 per sq ft, compared with £299 per sq ft for a comparable detached house
• In G43 (Shawlands), bungalow values reached £270 per sq ft, ahead of detached homes at £254 per sq ft

This consistent premium reflects more than just layout. Buyers are valuing single level living, flexibility and long term suitability.

The Importance of Location

Location plays a particularly important role in bungalow performance.

In semi rural and edge of market locations, bungalows can be a powerful draw where sales momentum may otherwise be harder to maintain. In more established, well connected areas, strong values frequently justify both premium pricing and the constraints of single storey development.

Appeal That Goes Well Beyond Downsizing

While bungalows are often associated with downsizers, the buyer pool today is much broader. We regularly see interest from:

• Buyers planning ahead for future living needs
• Families looking for adaptable spaces
• Those seeking practical, low maintenance homes

Demographic change and lifestyle priorities mean this demand is unlikely to fade.

What This Means If You’re Buying or Selling

For owners, bungalows are continuing to perform well, often attracting high levels of interest and competitive bidding when priced and marketed correctly.

For buyers, opportunities can be few and far between. Preparation, local knowledge and good advice make a real difference when the right property does appear.

Thinking Ahead? We’re Here to Help

If you own a bungalow and are considering your next move, it may be a good time to have a conversation. Demand remains strong, supply is limited, and many sellers are surprised by the level of interest their home attracts.

If you’re hoping to buy a bungalow, early advice can help you understand local availability, pricing and how best to position yourself when an opportunity arises.

If you’d like to talk things through, whether that’s about value, timing, or simply understanding the market, our team would be very happy to help. A quiet conversation now can often make all the difference later.