The London to Country Market – buyer behaviour trends in 2017

29 September 2017 |

The migration of London buyers to the Surrey Hills shows little signs of slowing. And it’s not hard to see the appeal – good transport links, excellent schooling and above all a contented way of life surrounded by rolling countryside and strong community spirit.

Younger families moving from London are drawn to a safer, cleaner environment in which to bring up their children. Coupled with this, Guildford is surrounded by outstanding prep-schools that feed into some of the country’s leading senior schools. 

Londoners change their buying habits

In recent years we have seen a shift in the buying habits of Londoners. The preference for a weekend home in the country has been replaced by a family home in the country and a small pied-à-terre in town. But this relies on accessing fast transport links into the capital – a key part of the decision-making process for buyers balancing the viability of an area with early starts. 

Buyers take the country for a test-drive

Increasingly we find that London buyers are selling up in town and renting before buying in the country. This way they’re able to try out country life before committing and importantly move swiftly when that special village house becomes available. In our experience London buyers are decisive. And this decisiveness is not lost on sellers. It frequently puts them at an advantage to local, perhaps more cautious, purchasers. Good houses in great roads will always sell for a premium, but being able to act quickly will often secure a sale over a higher price.

As seen in our Summer 2017 Residential Review. Read more on the country market as Charlie Ellingworth discusses property prices and changes in lifestyle impacting the sector here.

Learn more about ResCountry – the latest service from LonRes connecting the capital and country markets.