The concept of a “forever home” is less important to younger homeowners, research from Zoopla (4 November 2025) has found. Instead, they favour flexibility, although this approach could cost more overall.
Traditionally, homeowners have sought a forever home that they’d live in for 15 to 20 years, or the rest of their lives. It’s the property where a family settles down and creates memories.
The Zoopla survey found that 63% of homeowners aged between 18 and 35 feel the concept of a forever home is less important to them than it was to their parents. Indeed, almost half of this age group believe they’ll move home in the next five years.
There are several reasons for this shift.
One factor affecting families is likely to be property prices. With property price growth continuing to outstrip average wage increases, many households find they need to gradually climb the property ladder over many years. As a result, younger generations are likely to move home more frequently.
In addition, families today often have more mobile lifestyles. 37% of 18- to 34-year-olds told Zoopla their top motivation for moving is to find a location that suits their lifestyle. For instance, they might move to be closer to family or because they’re switching between rural and urban locations.
This mindset shift is reflected in how people view their homes.
Just 7% of all homeowners said they view their home purely as a financial asset that should be leveraged when the market is right. This figure more than triples to 23% for those aged 18 to 24.
The costs associated with frequent moving could add up
While frequently moving home could enable you to choose the property that suits your needs now, it does come with costs that are important to consider.
When you move home, you may need to consider the cost of:
- Stamp Duty
- Legal services
- Estate agents
- Surveys
- Removal companies
These expenses might seem small when you consider the value of the property you’re buying. However, if you move regularly, the costs can really add up. Indeed, the HomeOwners Alliance (2 August 2025) estimates the cost of buying and selling an average-priced house was £13,018 in 2025.
The Zoopla survey found that 30% of homeowners say the associated costs deter them from moving. However, 39% believe relocating is more financially sensible than staying put and borrowing money to fund a major renovation.
Choosing a mortgage that’s right for you could save you money
As well as the expenses listed above, you might need to consider costs associated with your mortgage when moving.
If you hope to move before your current deal ends, you could face an early repayment charge (ERC). This is typically a percentage of your outstanding mortgage balance.
When taking out a new mortgage, you might need to pay fees to secure the deal you want.
However, choosing a mortgage that suits your needs could save you money.
For example, you might opt for a shorter mortgage deal if you think you’ll move in the next few years to provide greater flexibility and avoid paying an ERC. What’s more, choosing a mortgage deal that offers a competitive interest rate could boost your finances by reducing your outgoings.
A mortgage broker will take the time to understand your needs and offer advice that’s tailored to you.
Please get in touch to discuss your mortgage options
Whether you’re searching for your next home or you’ve chosen to stay where you are long term, you could benefit from working with a mortgage broker. We can offer guidance throughout the mortgage process, including identifying which lenders might be right for you. Please get in touch to talk about your mortgage needs.
Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loans secured on it.
