When looking at the portals and estate agency websites, you might wonder: where are all the good-quality country houses for sale across the country? The answer is, a large proportion are purchased off-market.

The older generation typically live in the best houses, having owned them for approximately 20-30 years. However, sellers also need to find another house to buy (the big conundrum) – which most of the time is stressful and hugely disruptive. As such, sellers often become hesitant and don’t do it – which creates a bottleneck in the market.

I believe if all those who were thinking about selling contacted a buying agent as well as an estate agent, this could help release an enormous amount of housing stock. The majority of homeowners do not realise the benefits of speaking with a local buying agent, but there are many … Good buying agents not only have a black book of potential buyers looking for country houses, but these purchasers are also cash-ready and flexible.

Many of our buyers are now agreeing to a delayed completion to give sellers time to find something else. Several years ago, this was the standard 28 days, but now a date can be arranged for as long as a few years away. We also bring serious buyers to the table, and quickly. These clients are heavily vetted to ensure they are proceedable, reducing the risk of them pulling out of the deal.

Having the time to find something else, combined with the assurance that their home has already sold, puts a seller in a good position to make a stress-free onward purchase.

Additionally, if a seller wants to move locally, then a buying agent can also find them another great house far more quickly than if they were to rely only on what’s for sale on the open market. Most of the best homes are being sold off-market, which means it’s our clients who get a heads up on them first.

Of course, should a homeowner decide to contact me, I will always recommend getting the house valued via an estate agent, as we represent the buyer and not a seller. Also, an estate agent would help them negotiate the sale and oversee it through to exchange and completion.

Property Acquisitions have secured many purchases arising from local homeowners asking if we have a buyer for them. For more information about how we can help find you a buyer as well as another house, contact Jennie Hancock at jh@propertyacquisitions.co.uk .

For centuries, land and homeownership have been at the heart of English society, shaping wealth, stability, and status. From rolling countryside estates to the charming townhouses of London, property has always been considered the greatest asset one can own.

As Mark Twain famously put it, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” In a country like the UK, where land is both finite and highly sought after, this statement rings especially true.

Historically, owning property in England was the privilege of the aristocracy, but over time, it became a goal for the middle class as well. Today, despite the challenges of much higher house prices compared to incomes, the aspiration to own a home is as strong as ever. And in a world of economic uncertainty, bricks and mortar remains one of the safest and most tangible investments.

But homeownership is about much more than financial gain; it is about creating a personal sanctuary. A house filled with books, for instance, is a home that enriches the mind. One quote that particularly resonates with me was shared by a client last year. The American educational reformer and abolitionist Horace Mann, said, “A house without books is like a room without windows”.

It is striking to see so few books in homes today, compared to the personal libraries that were once a staple of English houses. In the 1990s, I would frequently visit homes with a library, and many rooms featured bookshelves displaying an impressive collection of both old and new books, but as the years have progressed, people seem to read less and book collections have fallen out of fashion.

Here is a selection of interesting quotes which might give you some food for thought about our relationship with our homes, and how they impact our lives. Some wise – and some simply amusing!

• Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt 

• The best time to buy a house is always five years ago” – Ray Brown

• I would give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground.” -Shakespeare

• Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” – Mark Twain

• The wise young man or wage earner of today invests his money in real estate.” -Andrew Carnegie

• Landlords grow rich in their sleep without working…” -John Stuart Mill 

• Buying real estate is not only the best way, the quickest way, the safest way, but the only way to become wealthy.” – Marshall Field

• Land monopoly is not only monopoly, but it is by far the greatest of monopolies; it is a perpetual monopoly, and it is the mother of all other forms of monopoly.” –Winston Churchill
• Every person who invests in well-selected real estate in a growing section of a prosperous community adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth.” – Theodore Roosevelt 

Jennie Hancock is quoted in this Daily Telegraph article exploring how the pandemic distorted the property market, encouraging buyers to compete in the ‘race for space’.

We are now seeing new opportunities for buyers in today’s market to secure a country home for a reasonable price, but it is more important than ever to work with a buying agent to help you understand what properties are really worth – and to help you negotiate effectively.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jennie for advice about purchasing a home in West Sussex, Hampshire and the Surrey borders: call +44 (0)7776 452 128 or email jh@propertyacquisitions.co.uk

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is due to present the annual Spring Statement on 26^th March, which could contain tax changes and policy shifts relevant to the property market.

Property Acquisitions founder and director Jennie Hancock was delighted to take part in this panel of opinions from leaders across the prime property sector, compiled by luxury property journal PrimeResi. She urges the Chancellor to be bold in tackling stamp duty, to free up the housing market and reap the multiple economic benefits that would bring.

“It might seem like a distant memory, but many of us in the property industry can remember the halcyon days of a single 1% rate of stamp duty, until it started creeping steadily upwards after 1997.

“People moved house every 3 or 4 years, when their circumstances changed such as a new job, a new baby, or when their children had left home and they wanted to downsize. And every time they did so, solicitors, estate agents, surveyors, removals firms, builders, architects and so on, all got paid – and so did the government via their taxes.

“Today, stamp duty has distorted and constrained the market so heavily, that we have older homeowners rattling around in large family homes which they no longer need or want, because they can’t face handing £150,000 to the tax man. They would rather stay put and hire a gardener or a housekeeper with that money.

“Meanwhile families are crammed into smaller properties, unable to afford to upsize because there aren’t enough large family homes to choose from. Plus, the stagnated market means they probably haven’t made much on their current home – so the enormous stamp duty bill they would face to upsize has to come out of their existing equity.

“When people don’t move home, the economy suffers, which is why stamp duty is such a pointless and prohibitive tax. As well as all the service providers and suppliers in the property ecosystem who lose out, it’s harder for companies to recruit, workers are forced to commute further to work and you end up with a far less mobile and less productive population.

“This is unlikely to be a tax cutting budget, but I wish the government could see just how much of an economic own goal stamp duty is.”

Quality over quantity: Smaller country homes are growing in popularity

Smaller country homes are in high demand from buyers in 2025. Whether you are upsizing, downsizing or buying as a family, there is a demand for quality rather than quantity for buyers of all ages. Avoiding homes that come with endless expense is now a number one priority at every level and at every stage of life.

As people are starting to feel more confident about the market, we are receiving more enquiries from buyers searching for smaller country houses in prime locations. There are many benefits in doing so…. for example less maintenance, releasing equity to provide additional funds for education with the added VAT on school fees, and lower energy bills to name a few.

With that in mind, our Director, Jennie Hancock, shares some of her top tips for finding the perfect compact country home …

Start your search early

When you decide to sell, start considering your property search at the same time. It’s a buyer’s market, but in the most desirable villages there are still far more buyers than good quality homes for sale.  The best country houses are often sold off-market, so speak with local estate agents about what is coming up, or use a buying agent as they tend to have access to them before the general public does. Plus, there will probably be less buyer competition.

Downsize your belongings

Downsizing and organising belongings is always a good move, whether you are moving to a smaller or larger home. In order to avoid taking unwanted items to your next house, you will probably have to sell, donate or throw away quite a few things. Have a good look at the floor plan of your new property. Will it fit your belongings without feeling too cluttered, or will you need to reduce them?

Consider long-term flexibility

There may come a time where it would be very convenient to have flexible accommodation, for example a master bedroom downstairs so you have easy access to the kitchen, living room and garden if you are downsizing. An annexe outside is another option to consider, which can be helpful for families with teenage children, a nanny, or just for accommodating family friends to stay or a carer later in life.

Find a manageable garden for your time of life 

If you have a growing family then time may be tight, so make sure you don’t buy more land than you need. Smaller plots mean less upkeep. If you plan on hiring a gardener then size matters less, but if you are going to be responsible for looking after outside space then opt for something that is low maintenance.

Local communities are key

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “does this area have a good local community?’. Community is the beating heart of many locations in West Sussex, and pitching in is a great way to integrate and get to know the locals. Some villages even have croquet lawns or tennis clubs. Close knit communities also come together to provide huge support for both young and old.

Don’t be too remote

Although it can be a luxury not to have a neighbour directly next door, you don’t want them so far away that there isn’t anybody around to help you. Think about the benefits of sharing lifts for children or having support from neighbours if you’re elderly.  Access to public transport will be very useful. In towns and cities there’s usually quite a good set up, but if you’re seeking a rural or village location be sure to check how far it is to the local shops, pub or café.

Do you want a ‘lock up and leave’?

Many of our clients want to travel more, so choose a home that allows you the freedom to do just that. Whether a weekend break or a global adventure, smaller houses mean you don’t need to worry about what might happen to the property or garden whilst you’re away. You want to literally be able to pack your luggage, close the front door and relax.

How many bedrooms do you really need?

While it can be tempting to have lots of space to accommodate visiting children and grandchildren, or big family Christmases, think about how much space you really need in your day-to-day life. Visits may be infrequent, so often having just one or possibly two spare rooms for visitors is plenty and will help keep running costs low.

For more information about the benefits of purchasing a smaller country house in West Sussex, contact Jennie Hancock on +44 (0)7776452128.

We were delighted to share our thoughts on the trends we’re seeing at the start of 2025 with the leading luxury property journal, PrimeResi.

In a ‘Letter from the Country’ Jennie Hancock describes how most properties that have been on the market in West Sussex for some time are still overpriced, but there’s a new pipeline of early spring stock emerging, on and off market, which is much more attractive to buyers.

Three quarters of existing stock is still overpriced

High quality, well-priced homes are still hard to come by in the South Downs, especially the ever-popular golden triangle between Chichester, Midhurst and Petworth. Around three quarters of the houses currently available are ‘old chestnuts’ which have been on the market for some time yet remain stubbornly overpriced.

Sellers are holding out in the hope that more buyers will emerge in the spring who may be willing to pay what they’re asking, but it’s a buyer’s market and they are only committing when they see genuine value.

Buyer competition will increase over the next 3 – 4 months, but sellers of properties which have been on the market for some time should still expect a hard negotiation to get a sale over the line.

Strong pipeline of new spring stock emerging

The January blues are subsiding and I’ve noticed new sellers coming to market now, or preparing to in the next few weeks, are being far more realistic about the current market level and listening to the advice of their agents.

Buyers want new stock, and encouragingly, we’re now beginning to see some good quality houses coming through which are being quietly shown off market prior to going on market when the weather improves. Just this morning I’ve been given the nudge on two fantastic houses which absolutely nail the brief for one of my clients looking in the South Downs National Park – and they’re properly priced. I’m confident we’re going to start to see more deals being done.

More big country houses could be divided up

The properties that are really sticking at the moment are the big country houses, because they’re often a bottomless pit of money and today’s buyers are nervous about taking on the high ownership costs. Maintaining, heating and running a country pile today is for the super-rich, and even they often prefer a newer property which is energy-efficient and easy to maintain.

I expect we’ll see more planning applications being made to divide big country houses up and sell them as smaller homes. Buyers want the heritage, period features and wonderful gardens – and the cache of owning a slice of history – but on a more manageable scale.

Grade 2 listed Lock House in West Sussex is one example of a large 10-bedroom country home which has failed to sell as a single residence and an application has now been made to convert it into three separate houses and a cottage. If the planning application is approved, providing the conversion is done sympathetically, those smaller homes will be much more saleable in today’s market.

Are you team beam or team Georgian? That’s the question posed in this article in The Times, exploring changing tastes in the country homes market. While Georgian houses are always popular with buyers for their high ceilings and grand proportions, medieval houses are rather like buying a vintage car – they need to be a passion project.

Jennie Hancock is delighted to be quoted in the piece, explaining how energy efficiency and the higher cost of living has put some buyers off very old properties. “Nearly everyone wants something more straightforward now. That’s why younger families are not keen, if they’re not easily mortgageable. If there’s a possibility of problems, a lender might be more cautious and stringent with the survey.”

If you are interested in buying a piece of history – and West Sussex has plenty of gems including a number of original hall houses – we can help ensure you’re going into the purchase fully prepared and in the know.

You can read the full article here if you’re a Times subscriber.

As we kick off 2025, there is more stock to choose from compared to six months ago, but good quality village houses in West Sussex, Hampshire and the Surrey borders are still incredibly scarce.

Owners who might consider downsizing are doing the sums and with stamp duty so high, many are making the decision to stay put, so when one does come up for sale – on or off market – buyer competition is strong and professional representation is essential.

These are the key considerations for buyers making their move this year.

Prioritise location

The area you choose will have a lasting impact on the quality of life and the resale value of your home. Consider factors like traffic patterns, proximity to schools, shops, and public transport, and potential nuisances like farms or busy roads. Living next to a pig farm could lead to unpleasant odours during summer, while a property on a busy main road may disrupt your peace with constant commuter traffic.

Panic buying in the wrong location often leads to costly mistakes, with buyers needing to sell again within a few years – not something anyone wants to do with buying costs currently so high. Take the time to evaluate the area thoroughly, as hasty decisions can lead to overpaying or settling for a home that doesn’t meet your needs.

Do multiple viewings

It is so important to view your prospective house more than once. A single viewing is not enough to make an informed decision. Visit the property at different times of day to assess traffic noise, lighting, and overall suitability. A house that seems perfect during the day might reveal issues like commuter traffic or insufficient natural light in the evenings. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, ensure the garden receives adequate sunlight during the hours you’d typically use it.

Multiple viewings help minimise the risk of buyer’s remorse.

Research the property thoroughly

Whether working with a buying agent or going it alone, thorough research is vital. Frequent ownership changes could indicate underlying problems, such as noise issues, unpleasant neighbours, or structural concerns. Assess running costs, such as utilities and maintenance, and verify the availability of essential amenities like schools and shops.

Commuters should check the distance to the nearest station, and families should consider school catchment areas. Knowledge is power when making a significant investment.

Rent if needed in the interim

When you are ready to find your dream house, it may be necessary to consider renting for a short period. This allows time to wait for better opportunities, as spring often brings more properties to market when gardens are in full bloom. Renting can help you avoid overpaying or settling for a less-than-ideal home. Many desirable properties are sold off-market, so a buying agent can be instrumental in accessing these hidden gems.

Offer a delayed completion

Buyers and sellers alike often face challenges finding their next home, so offering a delayed completion can make your bid to purchase more appealing. This approach gives sellers the assurance of a secure exchange while allowing them time to find a new property. For buyers, it provides time to plan renovations, finalise financing or put planning permissions in place. A flexible timeline is especially beneficial for overseas buyers or those awaiting the sale of their current home.

Manage emotions

Falling in love with a home only to discover it’s over budget can be disheartening, but staying level-headed will serve you well. Remember, property is a long-term investment. Focus on finding a home that meets your current and future needs rather than letting emotions drive your decisions.

By following these strategies and seeking professional advice, you can navigate the complexities of the 2025 housing market with confidence. The right approach will help you secure a home that’s not only a sound investment but also a place you’ll love for years to come.

Bungalows are getting a cool rebrand, according to the Daily Telegraph, with buyers of all ages genuinely buying into the idea of truly lateral living, with the benefits of flexible, open-plan living space.

There is a certain amount of snobbery around the word ‘bungalow’ which is why ‘single-storey residence’ is now more fashionable!

Jennie Hancock is delighted to be quoted in the piece:

“Bungalows often change hand off market because sellers tend to be elderly and privacy is very important to them. There are always rumblings locally when one is about to become available so deals usually get done behind closed doors. When they do come onto the open market there is always strong competition from older and younger buyers.”

Whilst always popular with older buyers approaching retirement who are looking to futureproof, younger buyers are also drawn to the large, mature plots which are ideal for knocking down and starting again. It’s much easier to get planning permission if you’re replacing an existing dwelling, and you may be able to add around 30% to the footprint too.

Single-storey homes often come with a premium because they are so sought after – and these days very few, if any, new ones are being built.

You can read the full article here if you’re a Daily Telegraph subscriber.

We are delighted to announce exchange of contracts on a lovely house in the amazing rural hamlet of Bexley Hill, only a few miles from Midhurst and Petworth.

This rural property, which was purchased ‘off market’, is set in a tranquil location with downland views.

The priority for this client was to settle in this fabulous part of the world, close to Petworth, Chichester and Midhurst, with access to London which is straight forward from this part of South Downs National Park.

Whilst this specific patch is known for having a shortage of good quality buying opportunities, we were able to source this home through our network prior to it entering the open market and secure our client exclusive first access.

Our thanks go to Jenette Soulsby at Strutt and Parker in Haslemere for introducing us to this fabulous property.