Seeking out good value

In the current challenging economy, buyers are finding that size and location of property they want is just out of reach financially.

For buyers who are locally based, inside knowledge can allow them to shift their search a few miles in one direction or another, but for those coming from outside the area, this exercise is more challenging.

Stacks Property Search pinpoints some great alternative locations that will provide buyers with valuable local know-how.

Surrey and Hampshire:

Bill Spreckley of Stacks Property Search says, “The lovely town of Haslemere in Surrey is high on the list of buyers moving out of London who have a regular need to commute to the Capital. With its timbered and tile-hung properties, it's one of the gems of the Surrey Hills AONB. The fast train to Waterloo takes around 50 minutes. As a result, property prices are high, with four bedroom houses starting at around £800,000.

“Just three miles west of Haslemere, and a quick drive to Haslemere station, the village of Liphook directly adjoins the South Downs National Park. With its strong local community and excellent secondary school, it's an excellent alternative to Haslemere and prices are around 25% cheaper. It does have its own station, but fast trains don't stop, so trains take around twenty minutes longer.

“Similarly, buyers searching in the town popular town of Petersfield in Hampshire, with its fast train to Waterloo, could move their search five miles north to the smaller, picturesque and historical town of Liss where prices are 20% cheaper, but only slow trains stop.”

Somerset:

Amanda Ake of Stacks Property Search in Somerset says, “The beautiful town of Frome has become well known for its creative demographic, independent shops and its wealth of culture. However in recent years its popularity has meant that prices have increased and a good four bedroom family home in a prime area of Frome can cost over £1m. 

“Often overlooked, ten miles south west of Frome, the town of Shepton Mallet and the pretty and rural surrounding villages, offer a great alternative for buyers seeking better value for money with prices in the centre around 30% lower than in Frome. Nestled on the edge of the Mendip Hills, Shepton Mallet has a pretty centre and a thriving community. There's a great atmosphere, the lovely market square is pedestrianised and home to independent and interesting shops and cafes. 

“Nicely quirky, the town is well located being nearby lovely countryside and the closest town to Glastonbury Festival giving residents a head start on securing tickets! Wells (5 miles), Bath (18 miles), and The Newt at Castle Carey (10 miles).

Buckinghamshire:

Nick Wooldridge of Stacks Property Search says, “Buckinghamshire is an expensive county for so many reasons: vibrant towns and villages, exceptional schools, the Chiltern Hills, well connected via major road, rail and air networks, and speedy commuting into London.

“It's no surprise that prices are some of the highest in the UK outside London. Buyers are drawn to high-profile towns such as Beaconsfield (loved by footballers), Great Missenden and Amersham to name a few. But for better value I would suggest they head to the western side of the Chiltern Hills and take a look at Princes Risborough, less well-known, and lying on what some would consider to be the 'wrong' side of the Chilterns.

“It's an undervalued gem, with a good school, nice community, plenty of shops and facilities, gorgeous countryside, and Oxford is easily accessible. It's a 45 minute train journey into Marylebone. Property prices around 25% lower than in its better known Buckinghamshire neighbours.

Cotswolds to Herefordshire:

Anto Clay of Stacks Property Search says, “As the Cotswolds continues its rise in popularity and price, buyers have to go further away for affordable alternatives.

“Often overlooked is the option of heading west into Monmouthshire. The countryside (less manicured than the Cotswolds) is gorgeous and diverse with AONBs, national parks, and rivers providing spectacular playgrounds; and appealing towns such as Monmouth, Usk and Chepstow punctuating the landscape. The county is well connected, with easy access to the M4, the Severn Bridge, and a fast train from Newport to London (not taking much longer than from Kingham).

“There's no Daylesford, but property stock is 50% cheaper than the Cotswolds.

NW London:

Sara Ransom of Stacks Property Search says, “Prices for property in North Kensington and Maida Vale have been rising above London averages for more than a decade; competition is high for properties in these leafy and well-connected areas.

“I would strongly recommend buyers take a look at less the less high profile neighbourhoods of Queens Park and Kensal Rise, swapping W10 and W9 for NW10 and NW6. No longer down at heel, there are wonderful local shops, cafes and restaurants, wide streets and greenery galore. Houses are being renovated and gentrified, and the area is well served by both London overground and underground trains. There are some lovely apartments in Victorian houses to be found under £500,000, and period houses under £1m. Prices come in at around 5% lower than in the more high-profile areas of Maida Vale and North Kensington.

Gloucestershire to Worcestershire and Warwickshire:

Sharon Barnard of Stacks Property Search says, “There seems to be no end to the rise in popularity of Gloucestershire; Cotswold stone, pretty villages, cute cottages, Daylesford, Gilly Cooper, some outstanding pubs, and lovely market towns. Everyone knows something about the county and it's in high demand from buyers moving out of London, whether that's for a family home or a second home, or relocating from traditional commuter areas.

“By hopping over the north-east border of the county, into either Warwickshire or Worcestershire, buyers can unlock a vast array of property at significantly lower prices. The beautiful village of Broadway lies just over the border into Worcestershire, and the popular market town of Shipston on Stour lies on the Warwickshire side of the Gloucestershire border. Both are surrounded by pretty villages and glorious North Cotswolds, while still benefiting from the same excellent transport links. There are some great savings to be made sacrificing the GL postcode.”

Stacks Property Search, 01594 842880 / www.stacks.co.uk