For much of the last two decades, bungalows have quietly slipped out of fashion. Overshadowed by those glossy new build developments, three storey townhouses and open plan ‘modern living’, they became seen by many as somewhere only your granny lives rather than an aspirational home move. Yet while much of the property market newspaper headlines have been chasing trends, something rather different has been happening beneath the surface in the Plymouth property market with those single storey dwellings called bungalows.

Today, bungalows are starting to become some of the most sought after homes in the local Plymouth property market, attracting interest from a far wider range of buyers than many people might expect. Downsizers in their 60s and 70s remain a major part of the market, of course, yet increasingly buyers in their late 40s and 50s are also competing for these homes. What was once considered ‘later life housing’ is now increasingly viewed as smart long-term living for younger families.

So, let us look at the numbers for Plymouth.

Over the last two years, 914 Plymouth bungalows came onto the market, accounting for 6.12% of all property listings in the area

(Lower than the national average, where 7.62% of homes listed were bungalows).

(Plymouth PL1 to PL9).

During the same period, 570 Plymouth bungalows sold and completed, achieving an average sale price of £335,705.

More revealing, however, was the price per square foot buyers were prepared to pay. Plymouth bungalows achieved an average of £374 per square foot, compared to £257 per square foot for houses and flats over the same timeframe. In a nutshell, buyers are willing to pay a considerable premium for the right single storey home.

Part of the appeal is obvious. Bungalows offer something many modern homes increasingly struggle to provide, simplicity. No stairs, practical layouts, generous gardens, easier accessibility and often significantly more privacy than newer housing developments. In an age where many homes are built taller, narrower and closer together, the bungalow feels refreshingly spacious and straightforward.

There is also the question of future proofing. Many buyers are no longer simply purchasing for their current lifestyle. They are thinking ten, twenty or even thirty years ahead. A well-located Plymouth bungalow allows homeowners to remain independent and comfortable later in life without needing another disruptive move further down the line. Increasingly, I see Plymouth couples in their 50s, where the children have flown the nest, recognising that good housing decisions are often about longevity rather than fashion and leaving their empty 4 bed home for a smaller 2 bed bungalow in the city.

Post pandemic lifestyle changes have played a role in this shift, as homeowners have become far more aware of how they actually use their homes. Outdoor space, natural light, quieter surroundings and flexible living arrangements now carry far greater weight in purchasing decisions. Many bungalows, particularly those built in established residential areas of Plymouth, naturally provide exactly those qualities.

Then there is the issue of scarcity, which perhaps underpins the market more than anything else. Only 1,505 new bungalows were built across the UK in 2025, accounting for only 1.3% of new homes built. The reason is housebuilders generally prioritise higher density developments because they maximise profitability and land use. Bungalows simply take up too much land to make it profitable. As a result, the existing number of bungalows has become increasingly more valuable because replacement supply remains so limited.

This shortage is particularly noticeable in Plymouth, where many bungalows occupy mature residential plots that would be difficult to replicate in today’s planning environment. Wide frontages, larger gardens and generous spacing between homes are increasingly rare commodities within modern housing developments. Buyers recognise this scarcity, and the market reflects it accordingly.

So, how saleable are bungalows?

In Plymouth, 62.5% of bungalows that left estate agents’ books in the last 2 years went on to successfully sell and complete

That compares with 62.98% for Plymouth houses and 55.88% for Plymouth flats.

Nationally, bungalows outperform many other property types, reinforcing the view that correctly priced single storey homes continue to attract committed buyers.

However, scarcity alone does not guarantee success. The strategy of pricing your Plymouth bungalow remains critical. Some Plymouth bungalow owners assume limited supply automatically means buyers will pay any figure being asked. Yet today’s buyers remain highly price sensitive and exceptionally well informed. The strongest results are still achieved by sellers who price realistically from the outset and position their property carefully within the market (remember, even though 62.5% of bungalows sold, it still meant 37.5% of Plymouth bungalows didn’t sell!).

The reality is that bungalows now appeal to multiple buyer groups simultaneously. Mature Plymouth downsizers see convenience and comfort, whilst families often see flexibility and safety. Meanwhile, middle aged Plymouth professionals increasingly view them as sensible long-term homes that combine practicality with lifestyle quality.  Finally, more and more Plymouth buy-to-let landlords are seeing them as a good choice for investment.

What is clear, though, is this. Plymouth’s love affair with bungalows was never simply a passing phase. Quietly and steadily, these single storey homes have re-established themselves as one of the city’s most desirable property types. In a market where space, privacy and practicality are becoming ever more valuable, the humble bungalow is no longer overlooked. If anything, it may only just be getting started.

P.S. Finally, for those who have ever wondered where the word “bungalow” actually comes from, it has nothing to do with builders being told to “bung a low roof on it”, however amusing that explanation may be. The term originates from British India in the late 18^th century/early 19^th century, where the British sailors took over the single storey homes in the ports they docked into, which were traditionally occupied by people from Bengal. These homes were known as “Bangla” houses. Over time, the word evolved into “bungalow”, and the rest, as they say, is ‘property’ history.

Since 1st January 2021 until 1st June 2026, Julian Marks has sold 393 bungalows throughout Plymouth in postcodes PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6, PL7, PL8 & PL9. That’s more than any other firm in the area, and 217 more bungalows SSTC than our closest competitor who have sold 176 properties. Data taken from TwentyEA on 2nd June 2026.

This further adds to our top-performing stats in Plymouth. Julian Marks has sold 2,218 properties since 1st January 2021 throughout Plymouth in postcodes PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6, PL7, PL8 & PL9. That’s more than any other firm within the area and 698 more properties than our closest competitor. Agent two selling 1,520, agent three selling 1,392, agent four selling 1,169, and agent five selling 1,025 properties. Data taken from TwentyEA on 2nd June 2026 for periods between 1st January 2021 and 1st June 2026.

Contact your local Julian Marks branch if you’re thinking about selling, letting or require a mortgage. Partner with Plymouth’s most chosen agent today.