How Modern Working Patterns Are Reshaping the Property Market

Posted on 29 July 2025
Share this article
How Modern Working Patterns Are Reshaping the Property Market

How Modern Working Patterns Are Reshaping the Property Market

During the pandemic, we were told we’d eventually live with Covid like it was the common cold and it appears we have reached that point. Despite press reports of Nimbus this June – a new, highly contagious Covid variant rapidly spreading across the globe – the effects on daily life were negligible. No panic, no masks, no ‘stay at home’ mandates.

Our acceptance of Covid as a run-of-the-mill illness is clearly being evidenced in the business sector, where a ‘back to work’ movement is growing in momentum. In May 2025, Virgin Media O2 published its first Business Movers Index of 2025. It revealed 42% of businesses planned to mandate full office returns by June this year – a trend derived by questioning 2,000 businesses and 2,000 consumers.

The survey showed 52% of British employees went into the office more frequently in the early part of 2025, with 38% of workers commuting five days a week. By June, another 16% of employers were expected to be back in the office full time. Wednesday was found to be the most popular day of the week to go to the office

Not everyone has returned to the Monday to Friday 9-5, however, as the results of a separate study released earlier this year revealed. When recruitment company Hays questioned 8,000+ UK organisations and professionals across a range of sectors, it found 77% of the workforce had adopted a hybrid working pattern.

It’s this split between the office and another location that appears to be the working sweet spot and employers must take notice, with a third and very extensive research project uncovering a ticking HR timebomb.

Researchers at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London and King’s Business School analysed over 1 million observations from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and 50,000 responses from the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes UK (SWAA). The results provided a comprehensive picture of remote working patterns across the UK, from early 2022 through to the end of 2024.

Of those surveyed, 58% said they would either quit immediately (9%) or start looking for a new job (49%) if required to return full time. According to the SWAA dataset, 25% of workers reported working remotely at least three or more days a week, while 40% worked remotely at least once weekly.

Viewber is interested in how new working patterns are impacting our commuting habits and, therefore, our preferred residential locations. In 2024, research by Trainline found the number of  ‘supercommuters’ – those who travel at least 90 minutes to work – had increased following the pandemic. Of those who identified as a supercommuter, 84% said they were able to extend their commute because of their hybrid working pattern.

The Trainline survey also found 34% of hybrid workers had a better work-life balance, 29% reported a reduced cost of living and 29% enjoyed more opportunities with their family.

Another survey from 2024 also identified a rise in a different kind of traveller – the student commuter. Blackbullion’s most recent Student Money and Wellbeing Report revealed of 1,200 students questioned, almost half were commuting due to the expense of renting and the cost of living.

For reference, the National Student Accommodation Survey 2025 says the average rent paid by students is £563 per month, with London the most expensive region (£812 per month). As a result, some students find themselves better off commuting for two hours each way, three to four times a week, taking a ‘have laptop, will travel’ attitude.

So, where do our shifting work and study patterns leave the property market? In late 2024, eXP UK examined property prices in a number of UK locations. Property values in commuter hotspots – such as St Albans (for London), Wolverhampton (for Birmingham) and Bury (for Manchester) – experienced the second highest increase (2.9%), only beaten by house prices in historic towns (3%).

With the above commuting durations in the region of 30 minutes, the value increases illustrate the demand for homes set outside of city centres – perhaps made possible due to hybrid working patterns.

London is often the best barometer for commuting trends and one mode of transport has provided a fascinating measure, proving our love for central living hasn’t been eroded completely. The Elizabeth line was officially opened in 2022 – mid pandemic – yet house prices in the boroughs along the track have outperformed London as a whole, according to CBRE analysis released in May 2025.

With a degree of office work now the norm and house prices climbing in commuter hotspots, the focus for some has turned to lesser-known areas within striking distance of business hubs. In May 2025, Sell House Fast published a list of 10 more affordable commuter areas that were commutable to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield or Leeds. Taking the top three spots were Horsforth, Rowley Regis and Sutton Coldfield, with an average house price as low as £206,009.

For hybrid workers, supercommuters and travelling students with one eye on house prices, two pipeline transport projects may be worth bearing in mind. The much maligned HS2 rail line should be open in 2033, subject to delays. There is ample time to purchase in lesser-known commuter areas along the proposed London to Birmingham route.

In the capital, Transport for London is still considering extending the Bakerloo line out to Lewisham but with the potential to reach deeper into South East London over time. Some optimists have already purchased a property along the suggested new route and there are still pockets of property potential. It’s a risky strategy, however, as no firm commitment from the Government has been forthcoming.

If you’re an estate or letting agent looking to broaden your business catchment to follow where commuters and hybrid workers are moving, let Viewber help. With our services, you won’t need to take on the expense of another office. Instead, our nationwide network allows us to complete on your behalf:

  • Accompanied viewings
  • Open house events
  • Property inspections & checks
  • EPC energy assessments
  • Professional-level photography, 360° virtual tours & floorplans
  • Smoke alarm & carbon monoxide detector tests
  • ‘Let in and lock up after’ services – ideal for when inventory clerks and trades visit
  • Key handovers & key management

The Viewber network operates seven days a week, including evenings, Sundays and Bank holidays. We can send a Viewber to any UK property within 48-hours and often much sooner. Contact us to learn more.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with Viewber.

Learn how Viewber can assist you