Which of those £1m bungalows by the ocean would you purchase?

Once reserved as a humble home for downsizers, home hunters of all ages now dismiss a bungalow at their peril.

Their values have increased 22 per cent on average since the pandemic, compared to 15 per cent for all types of property across Britain, according to recent research by estate agents Hamptons.

With this in mind, we take a look at two bungalows that sit either side of the country and ask which do you prefer in our latest Property Battle series.

We pick two £1m bungalows on either side of the country and ask which one would you prefer to buy?

Each property is currently for sale with an asking price of £1million, but one is a luxury four-bedroom home on the east coast while the other is a two-bedroom bungalow in need of some attention that sits in the west of the country.

Daniel Copley, of Zoopla, said: ‘Both of these well-situated bungalows have plenty to offer prospective buyers. 

‘For those looking for a turn-key property, a four-bedroom bungalow in Essex could be the perfect pad with its open-plan living area, indoor swimming pool and excellent transport links to central London. 

‘However, if you’re on the hunt for a doer-upper, a two-bedroom picturesque bungalow in Cornwall could be the winning choice with its peaceful water, countryside views and southerly facing plot.’ 

East coast: Bungalow, £1m, Eastwood, Essex

This substantial bungalow in Essex’s Leigh-on-Sea is being sold by Nichel Homes estate agents

The large open-plan living room houses a modern kitchen with an island and dining area

This large bungalow in Essex’s Eastwood – a town with an SS9 postcode the same as popular coastal town Leigh-on-Sea, which is two miles away – has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an extensive south-facing garden and an annexe.

There is a massive living room with an oak floor that houses the kitchen and dining area.

This space also has a seating area for entertaining with bi-fold doors running the length of the wall overlooking the garden.

The main living area has oak flooring and bi-fold doors that stretch across one wall, overlooking the garden

There is an outbuilding with a decking area that can be used for entertaining family and friends

But perhaps the real star of the show is the indoor swimming pool with decorative wall art along with changing room, which means it can be booked out for private lessons, making it a potential money maker. 

The town isn’t served by a train station, but Leigh-on-Sea on the C2C line to Fenchurch Street and Rayleigh on the Greater Anglia line are both a 15 minute drive. 

The property is on the market with an asking price of £1million and is being sold by Nichel Homes estate agents.

Perhaps the star of the show at this property is the very professional looking indoor swimming pool

There is also a sauna that comes with leisure facilities offered by the attractive bungalow

West coast: Bungalow, £1m, Truro, Cornwall

This bungalow for sale in Cornwall’s Truro sits on the coastline overlooking the water

There are no photos of the interior on the listing for this bungalow, which is being sold by estate agent Shore Partnership

The star of the show for this bungalow in its current condition are the surrounding views 

The photos on this listing of a bungalow for sale in Cornwall’s Truro are only of the exterior.

This is perhaps because the property needs some significant work done on the interior.

This is despite its £1million price tag. But as the estate agent Shore Partnership explains, it represents an ‘excellent opportunity for renovation, remodelling or a complete rebuild’.

But where it lacks in sparkling home comforts, it more than makes up for with ‘breath-taking and countryside views’.

It sits in a third of an acre of land and has also views of the water. It also has good access to transport, with Perranwell train station less than 2 miles away.

The property sits on a third of an acre and could be completely rebuilt into a modern family home