WHICH NEW BUILD HOMES ARE PEOPLE PREFERRING, AND WHY?
Before buyers book a viewing, they favourite homes – those clicks reveal real demand. Analysis across Wain Homes developments shows which homes truly capture attention, highlighting the continued appeal of four-bedroom detached houses, the unexpected popularity of bungalows, and how location and layout influence early buyer interest.
When you’re browsing properties online…
…that little heart icon might seem like a small thing – just a way to bookmark homes you quite like. But across thousands of clicks, those favourites tell a fascinating story about what buyers actually want, long before they pick up the phone or book a viewing.
At Wain Homes, we’ve been looking at the data from our developments, and the patterns are genuinely interesting. Not all homes attract the same level of attention, and understanding why certain plots consistently capture people’s imagination offers valuable insights for anyone house-hunting right now.
Why favourites matter more than you think
Before someone enquires about a property or arranges a viewing, they favourite it. It’s that first spark of interest – the “ooh, I like this one” moment when you’re scrolling through listings.
Unlike enquiries, which require commitment, favourites are instinctive. They reflect what immediately appeals: the layout, the location, the house type, or just that indefinable feeling that this could be the one.
Look at hundreds of users, and patterns emerge. Some developments attract even interest across many plots, while others have clear standouts that keep catching people’s eyes. Both give a real insight into what makes buyers pause and start imagining life in a home.
We’ve analysed this data to identify which locations and properties are generating the most interest. It’s not just interesting for us – it’s a handy way for you to spot what matters most when you’re hunting for your own perfect home.
So, which developments are topping the favourites list? Let’s break it down.
The standout developments
1) Latune Gardens
Looking at our current data, the Latune Gardens development leads the pack with a total of 237 favourites across 50 unique plots, with the top five plots receiving over 10 favourites each. This distribution suggests Latune Gardens offers consistent quality and desirable features across the board. When favourites spread this widely, it typically indicates well-planned positioning throughout the development, with various plot types appealing to different buyer preferences. And it’s not hard to see why.
Situated in the picturesque Lancashire village of Lathom, Latune Gardens offers that village setting many buyers crave – countryside living without sacrificing convenience. This development, in addition to its ideal urban layout for safe, welcoming, and neighbourly living, offers a collection of delightful 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes, with The Brunswick as the standout.
The Brunswick
The Brunswick is a charming, well-proportioned semi-detached home with three bedrooms, ideal whether you’re starting out, growing a family, or seeking a more manageable space to call home. Step inside to discover a thoughtfully designed layout that’s designed to make day-to-day living easy:
- Double-fronted home.
- Open plan kitchen/diner area.
- Dual aspect lounge.
- French doors opening onto the garden.
- Master bedroom with en suite bathroom.
- Two further bedrooms and a well-appointed family bathroom.
Simple, symmetrical, and practical, The Brunswick is the ideal British suburban home. Its classic red brick exterior and pitched roof give it a timeless look that instantly feels like home, while the smart, well-proportioned layout works perfectly for first-time buyers, growing families, or those looking to downsize.
2) Waterside Meadows
Waterside Meadows follows closely with 218 total favourites across 35 unique plots, but here’s where things get interesting: one plot absolutely dominates with 35 favourites – more than double the next most popular plot. When one property pulls that far ahead, it’s worth asking why – however, we’ll come back to that.
First, let’s look at why Waterside Meadows seems to have the wow factor with so many people.
The fantastic Fylde Coast hosts this Hambleton-based development, and is easily one of the best reasons to consider it. It’s semi-rural living at its best, with plenty of entertainment and sites to see, just minutes away. Aside from the location, the site itself has a certain homelike charm. A selection of 2, 3, 4, and even 5-bedroom family homes, including bungalows, are nestled among several ponds and open spaces, all linked by leafy, residential roads. It’s the kind of setting that works for families and couples alike.
Don’t just take our word for it. Kevin Edwards, who purchased a 4-bedroom detached house at Waterside Meadows a year ago, puts it perfectly:
“It’s the best thing we have done in years. Hambleton is a great place to live with an old-fashioned village feel.” He adds, “We’re both very happy & so glad we made the move to our new home and the village of Hambleton.”
The Milton
Time to discuss the plot we mentioned earlier! The Milton is a dormer bungalow with three generous bedrooms, a detached garage, and a thoughtful layout ideal for downsizers seeking space without compromise.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Large windows and a light-filled lounge.
- Open-plan kitchen/diner area.
- French doors to the garden.
- Master bedroom with en suite bathroom.
- Two substantial double bedrooms.
- Family-sized bathroom.
Bungalows often get overlooked in discussions about buyer preferences, but this result, a dormer bungalow, shows there’s a significant demand for the quaint style these homes offer. With its blend of comfort and versatility, it’s easy to see why this home is one of the most popular.
3) Cherry Blossom View
Coming in third is Cherry Blossom View in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, a spot that appeals to buyers after a market-town lifestyle with easy access to the Mendip Hills. Aptly named The Cherry, the top favourite plot here seems to be hitting the mark for exactly what many buyers want.
The Cherry’s popularity is especially interesting because it’s a semi-detached terraced home, showing that in the Somerset market, bigger and fully detached isn’t always the priority. Many buyers are looking for well-designed, practical homes that offer great value and lower running costs.
Houses like these are perfect for first-time buyers, downsizers, or anyone who wants to live in a home that’s both comfortable and full of character. In Midsomer Norton, it’s the town’s charm, and the nearby Mendip Hills, that really make a home feel special – not just the type of property.
The Cherry
Could this be your perfect home? The Cherry offers practical family living with a thoughtful semi-detached terrace design:
- Spacious lounge.
- Ground floor toilet.
- French doors open to the garden for an indoor-outdoor flow.
- Open-plan kitchen/diner.
- Master bedroom with en suite shower.
- Flexible second and third bedrooms.
Cardwell Park and The Paddocks
Take a look at the last two developments, and you can start to see a pattern in what buyers are looking for. Nestled in the Lancastrian countryside, both offer that lovely mix of peaceful, semi-rural living with a city just a short drive away. It’s easy to see why interest is spread fairly evenly across the plots – people want the calm of the countryside without losing touch with city life.
And just like these developments, our research shows that plots with this kind of balance are the ones buyers keep coming back to.
The Hightstone
At Cardwell Park, The Highstone offers four bedrooms across two storeys in a modern detached design. It comes fully specified and ready to move into from day one, with:
- Spacious open-plan kitchen and dining area.
- Separate lounge and family room.
- Utility and downstairs cloakroom.
- Master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and en suite shower.
- Three further bedrooms, including a second with an en suite, a double, and a single.
The Hornbeam
The Hornbeam at The Paddocks is a striking four-bedroom detached home with plenty of character. Step inside to discover:
- Open hallway leading to a large open-plan kitchen/diner with a sociable family area.
- Lounge with French doors to the garden.
- Downstairs cloakroom.
- Master bedroom with an en suite shower.
- Three further good-sized bedrooms.
- Family bathroom with a separate shower.
Even though they’re modern, these homes still have the charm and thoughtful layout of a traditional British family house, making them feel warm, inviting, and perfect for family life.
The four-bedroom factor
Detached 4-bedroom homes are far and away the most popular category, with 1,409 favourites across our developments. That’s significantly more than any other house type.
What’s making this home so appealing? A few things. Four bedrooms mean plenty of space – whether it’s for a growing family, guests, or a home office now that working from home is the norm. Being detached gives you privacy, gardens on all sides, and the simple joy of having a home that’s all yours.
No shared walls means less noise, more freedom to make the space your own, and the kind of separation that makes it feel truly yours.
Browse, save, and discover your perfect home
As you browse through our developments, don’t forget to save any plots that catch your eye and start your own shortlist. Maybe it’s the layout you love, the garden, or just the perfect spot in the development – everyone has their reasons. That’s the idea! Your favourites list makes it easy to compare homes, share your picks with loved ones, and work out which ones are worth seeing in person.
While you’re exploring our developments online, don’t hesitate to get in touch if a property catches your eye. Our team can talk you through the next steps, set up a viewing, guide you through the buying process, and help you get one step closer to making your dream home a reality.
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