Great to see our founder and MD Jennie Hancock quoted in the Daily Mail’s This is Money, talking about falling demand for large country houses.

Buyers are cost sensitive and reluctant to take on major projects because of the costs involved to bring them up to scratch and to run and maintain them going forward – which are significantly higher now than even a few years ago. People today generally want to move in and unpack, rather than tackle an extensive renovation on a large footprint.

Difficulties getting planning permission is another challenge buyers have little appetite for, and they are very wary about subjecting themselves to a long and expensive project and putting their lives on hold in the meantime.

You can read the full article here.

We were delighted to share our thoughts on stamp duty reform ahead of the upcoming Autumn Budget with luxury property journal PrimeResi.

There has been endless speculation about changes to stamp duty, capital gains tax and council tax which has created a great deal of confusion and uncertainty for buyers in recent weeks. In our view, the only proposal that has any real merit is replacing stamp duty with an annual property tax on homes worth over £500,000.

Property Acquisitions Founder and Director Jennie Hancock explains:

“An annual property tax would be an effective way of unlocking the housing market and enabling it to function much more fluidly. In the pre-stamp duty days, people were able to move up and down the property ladder as their circumstances changed, whether they were upsizing for a growing family or downsizing later in life as it suited them, without the fear of an enormous tax bill each time they transacted.

“The burden of stamp duty has been enormous, particularly in the prime market, but it discourages activity at all levels. That was clear to see during the pandemic stamp duty holiday when the market was freed from its constraints.

“An annual property tax would spread the cost and become just another bill to pay, much like council tax, which is easier to budget for compared to raising a significant lump sum at the point of transaction. It should only apply to new transactions however, or allowances would need to be made for people who have moved in recent years to ensure they avoid a double whammy of stamp duty and an annual tax.”

I was delighted to be quoted in The Daily Telegraph discussing the difficulties finding good household staff since Covid.

When the legals are going through on a purchase, I always ask the seller for a list of local recommendations for everything, from builders and decorators to tree surgeons and handymen. If there’s a gardener in place who has looked after the garden for many years or even decades, then clients are always very keen to keep them on because the knowledge they’ve built up over that time is irreplaceable.

One client buying near Petworth paid a significant premium to persuade the gardener to stay – not only because he was excellent and knew the garden inside out, but he’d also worked on the Capability Brown gardens at nearby Petworth Park, which brought a certain cachet!

Click here to read the article if you’re a Daily Telegraph subscriber.

There has been so much speculation lately regarding reform of property taxes, and this week the Conservatives put a new proposal to scrap stamp duty front and centre of their party conference.

Our founder and MD Jennie Hancock was delighted to be quoted in the Daily Mail’s Money section, This is Money, and several property industry titles sharing her views on the proposal:

“It’s unlikely the Conservatives will have the opportunity to implement this policy any time soon, but my hope is that after years of property market stagnation, the Government will take note and recognise the vast economic benefits scrapping Stamp Duty would bring.

“It’s such a prohibitive tax, and that was clear for everyone to see when the temporary Stamp Duty holiday was introduced during covid. In over 30 years of working in the housing market, I’ve never witnessed such an instant and dramatic turnaround.”

Click here to read the article on This is Money.

There is something deeply rewarding about growing your own food, whether it’s herbs on a windowsill or a vegetable patch at the bottom of the garden. More than just a hobby, it’s a way of life that influences how people think about property and home.

Here in the South Downs National Park, homes with established gardens, vegetable patches, or even small orchards are becoming increasingly sought after. As a house search agent, I have seen first hand how outdoor space is climbing the priority list for many buyers.  Families in particular are drawn to properties that offer room to grow their own produce, keep chickens, or simply enjoy a more self sufficient lifestyle.

It’s not just the land itself that appeals, but the sense of connection it brings to nature, and to a slower, more rooted way of living. I have even had buyers ask about soil types, something that rarely came up a few years ago!

As a gardener myself, I completely understand the appeal. When my sons were young, our garden was full of life: potatoes, beans, courgettes, radishes, carrots, tomatoes, and lettuces, alongside apple and plum trees and a herb garden. For the boys, it was an adventure, from watching things grow to digging up the harvest. I still remember how quickly those freshly dug potatoes were washed, cooked and eaten.

That passion hasn’t faded. Today, I still enjoy growing herbs and cooking with my own parsley, rosemary and mint and have fruit trees.  There’s something grounding and satisfying about using ingredients you have nurtured from the soil. It takes patience, but the rewards are worth it.

Beyond the kitchen, growing your own food offers physical and health benefits. With rising food and energy costs, it’s a practical way to ease household expenses too.

Whether it’s a few pots or a full kitchen garden, the joy of homegrown food is something everyone can enjoy. It connects us to nature and in the beautiful setting of the South Downs, there is no better place to dig in.

We were delighted to be featured in the cover story of the Sunday Times Home section about the growth in vineyards across West Sussex, run by both professionals and hobby winemakers.

The article explores how its chalky soil and south-facing slopes have helped West Sussex become one of the premier UK wine-producing regions. There are some really fantastic well-established vineyards like Nyetimber in West Chiltington and Ashling Park near Chichester, which are helping cement West Sussex as a destination for foodies and wine lovers.

I was recently approached by a couple in their late forties looking for a house with ten – 20 acres of vines, or the space to plant them, and I expect this this to be a growing trend. There’s definitely a certain cache to owning a vineyard and making a success of it, and with the established wine community already here, there’s good infrastructure a lot of support for newcomers.

Click here to read the article if you’re a Times and Sunday Times subscriber.

 Is the tide turning once more? This is why now could be a key moment for upsizers

After several years of a strong seller’s market, we are beginning to see a shift in West Sussex. The pace is slowing, price expectations are softening and buyers are gaining more leverage – especially those who are proceedable or buying with cash.

At Property Acquisitions we have been through many “ups and downs” of the property market and of course, our clients are always keen to buy when the timing is right – but when is this? We all wish we had a crystal ball, but history and experience tells us that moment could be soon.

In 2008 there was the global financial crash, when prices fell by approximately 15-20%. They then stabilised in 2009 before beginning to rise again later in 2012/13, especially in the Southeast. More recently came Brexit in 2016, leading to considerable uncertainty, followed by the race for space and associated price boom of Covid in 2020. Since then, during 2022 to 2025, we have seen inflation and higher interest rates, as well as tax changes which have caused a market correction.

When prices will bottom out is the big question, but our advice is don’t leave it too late. The property market is like a bad haircut: it will grow out! At the point at which prices start to rise again, you will once again face stiff competition from buyers, so the best time to buy is often a few months before that point, before the switch from a buyer’s to a seller’s market.

A buyer’s market suits upsizers 

While downsizers often benefit in a buoyant market, today’s conditions are tilting in favour of upsizers. With top-end property prices stabilising and competition easing, buyers looking to move into larger homes now have more room to negotiate, particularly if they are in a strong financial position. Also, a 10% discount on a more expensive property is worth more than a 10% discount on the cheaper one they’re selling.

By contrast, downsizers may face more challenges selling their current homes at peak prices, especially with mortgage rates impacting mid-market demand.

Proceedable buyers have the edge

In the current market, sellers are prioritising certainty over pricing. Being a cash buyer, or at least chain-free and mortgage approved, is a major advantage. It means a quicker, cleaner transaction with less risk of fall-through.

As a buying agent, I work exclusively with proceedable buyers, and I am seeing a clear trend: estate agents are contacting us more often, offering access to quality homes before they reach the open market – but only for serious, proceedable purchasers.

More choice of properties

We are seeing the return of off-market opportunities and early access for strong buyers. There is around 30% more supply to choose from compared to this time last year, including really fantastic one-off family homes that in some cases haven’t changed hands in decades. Some of these are being sold by holiday home owners, as a result of rising costs including the doubling of council tax for second homes.

For upsizers, particularly those with equity or cash, this autumn could be the most favourable moment in years to secure a prime country home. If you would like an informal conversation about some of the opportunities we’re seeing in the market, please do get in touch with Jennie Hancock on 07776 452 128 or email jh@propertyacquisitions.co.uk.

We are delighted to announce the exchange of contracts on a lovely detached country house nestled in several acres. The house boasts a swimming pool and tennis court, all set in the picturesque rural hamlet between Lodsworth and Petworth.

This tranquil property, purchased ‘off market’, has not been sold since the 1970’s. The client’s primary priority was to settle in this idyllic location, close to Petworth and Midhurst, with easy access to London.

While this area is known for its limited availability of high-quality buying opportunities, we were fortunate to secure this home through our extensive network before it entered the open market. This allowed us to provide our client with exclusive first access.

We would like to express our gratitude to Michelle Hendrie and the team at Jackson Stops in Midhurst, as well as Will Stisted for their exceptional conveyancing services.

In today’s market, most buyers are unenthusiastic about taking on the cost and extended timescales of a large renovation project. But many of the clients we work with are still looking for properties that offer good value through potential for improvement. Smaller, strategic projects that create significant impact are particularly attractive.

Improving a property’s layout can be a more cost-effective alternative to increasing its size and in some cases can deliver nearly as much value, without the high costs of extensions or rebuilds. These are some of the best ways to improve a property and add value without breaking the bank.

Rethink the space

Older homes often have poor layouts which don’t work for modern living, but there are several ways you can maximise the functionality and flow of the space without major structural work.

• Create a large open-plan kitchen/living space
• Add a downstairs cloakroom or utility room if one doesn’t already exist
• Add a bathroom or en-suite if space allows
• Open the kitchen/dining area to the outdoors, introducing more light
• Consider loft conversions, which are particularly popular with young families, offering extra space without major cost.

Enhance visual appearance

Buying a less attractive property can be an excellent way to add value. These homes are often significantly cheaper than more visually appealing ones and improving their kerb appeal can be relatively inexpensive.

• Soften exteriors by planting climbers such as wisteria
• Replace hard landscaping with flowerbeds and softer planting schemes
• Clean or repoint brickwork to instantly lift the exterior of the property
• Upgrade the front door and windows for a fresh, cohesive look

Always remember…

Before you buy, it’s important to always check whether a property is listed or located in a conservation area, as this will potentially restrict the changes you can make. Investigate any existing covenants too. Some older ones may no longer be enforceable, depending on changes over time.

For help and advice on finding a property you can add value to in West Sussex and the Surrey and Hampshire borders, please contact Jennie Hancock on jh@propertyacquisitions.co.uk or call 07776 452128.

As tax changes force more second homes onto the market, many of them are being snapped up by downsizers who finally have a decent amount of stock to choose from around the £1 – 2 million mark.

I was delighted to talk to renowned property journalist Zoe Dare Hall for this Daily Telegraph piece on downsizers snapping up ex-holiday homes – a trend we’re seeing play out across West Sussex.

Holiday home owners are facing rising costs, including a doubling of council tax in many holiday home hotspots including Chichester. They also need to consider maintenance costs, inheritance tax, capital gains tax – and whether their children and grandchildren actually want the hassle and expense of taking the property on in the future.

Passing holiday homes down to the next generation has been a long tradition, and many of the homes now coming onto the market have been in the same family for 50 years or more, but that’s now changing. We’re seeing some quite special properties come up in fabulous village and coastal locations such as the Witterings – and in many cases it’s downsizers who are snapping them up.

Click here to read the article.