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.

Now that the quartet of economic shocks in the UK have been written into the history books, namely Brexit, the pandemic, the General Election, and the UK Budget, we seem to have run out of excuses not to buy or sell our properties in 2025.

There have been countless financial shocks that have caused hesitation and procrastination to so many property owners, when it comes to our decisions about moving home. Have we all been living in the wrong house for so many years, either because it’s too small, too big, in the wrong location, or we are just waiting for “a better” time to move?

How many hypothetical house movers spend countless hours, days and months viewing properties on portals just to see what’s out there, only to stop and then not act, even if they’ve found somewhere that could be just the answer to their residential situation?

The time to open a new door and to close an old one is quite likely to be this year, as now there doesn’t seem to be any viable justification to delay. Mortgage rates are higher than two years ago, but mortgage costs as a proportion of income has fallen in the last 12 months and buyers have more certainty about what they will have to pay. At present, stock levels are reasonably good and likely to get better during the spring, and buyer competition isn’t too fierce. Therefore, agreeing terms can be far more straight forward, as there is an air of stability which brings with it confidence.

A Labour government is now in place and the Budget is out of the way, so there shouldn’t be any more political surprises for a while. Therefore, knowledge of what everyone has to pay in the home buying and selling process is clear.

Will 2025 be your year and have you run out of excuses to sell or to buy?

We were delighted to be quoted in the Daily Telegraph this weekend taking an in depth look at the downsizer market, including what motivates people to take the plunge and what holds them back.

We work with lots of downsizers across West Sussex and Hampshire, and while stamp duty is a major deterrent, we are now also seeing a desire to free up cash to help with grandchildren’s school fees.

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

If you’re thinking of downsizing in 2025 and would like to chat through your options, please don’t hesitate to contact Jennie Hancock for an informal chat on 01243 531133 or email jh@propertyacquisitions.co.uk.

Our founder and director Jennie Hancock was delighted to be included in this Country Life article on buying property within our National Parks.

This is very much a hot topic in the press at the moment, with new research from Nationwide showing homes located within a National Park typically command a 25% premium.

‘For sale’ signs rarely appear in the most sought-after villages within the South Downs National Park, with good family houses with an acre of land usually changing hands without ever hitting the market.

Click here to read more.

Since the budget, we’re seeing an increase in clients are registering to move and many are making plans to downsize.

Winchester has always been a popular city for all generations, and with so much to offer, it’s no wonder it’s now top of many homebuyers’ wish lists.

Winchester is steeped in history and few places can rival its charm within easy access of both London and the coast. The city itself offers history and culture in abundance with its striking cathedral at its heart and has for many years attracted both professionals and young families who are drawn to the many very good schools the city has to offer.

Winchester offers a blend of both classic Georgian and Victorian homes, period cottages, modern family homes and an array of apartments – all situated between two national parks with the New Forest to the south and the South Downs National Park to the east, with the incredible scenery and walking they offer.

As Christmas approaches, Winchester Cathedral hosts its annual Christmas market, which runs from November 22^nd until December 22^nd and is recognised as one of the best in Europe.  Modelled on the traditional German Christmas markets, it’s lined with wooden chalet stalls and twinkling Christmas lights, with the sound of Christmas carols and the aroma of mulled wine making this a truly magical place to visit over the coming months.

We have all enjoyed the wonderful easy access to property portals for some years now. However, buying and selling houses and sharing personal information about our homes is not as popular as it once was. Google has no delete button, therefore financial information remaining permanently online, often with errors, is not always helpful.

If a property is on a property portal and for whatever reason it is unsold/withdrawn or price amended (which could be due to many different circumstances), this can have a negative effect on future marketing as the full history is available to the public giving dates, prices and photographs.

Buying ‘off market’ and finding hidden homes is hard and is based very much on the trust of a buying agent or an estate agent that offers an ‘off-market’ service without relying on portals. During 2024 this has become increasingly popular, as sought after homes changing hands off market offer a form of exclusivity that was rarely seen in previous years.

This method leads to higher success rates, offering a far more discrete, confidential and stylish transaction not only for the buyer but seller too. Knowing the local area and having an encyclopaedic experience and knowledge of the local housing market is paramount. Properties can be premarket, bottom drawer, probate, quietly available (down-sizers thinking about it) but not listed publicly on portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla. Buying agents act for buyers and estate agents act for sellers.

Maybe some of the old ways are returning to important transactions such as buying or selling a home and this method can be a far less stressful than one initially may have thought. As a buying agent, our relationships with agents and homeowners mean we have access to the best off-market properties, enabling our clients to benefit from a quicker process, especially if they are buying with cash and are chain free purchasers.

Stretching 140 kilometres from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex, the South Downs National Park offers stunning scenery with more than 2,000 rights of way, trails and paths winding through chalk downland, woods, hills and vales.

Visiting its towns and villages is like stepping back in time, and homebuyers are drawn to this old-world charm, with village shops, churches and cricket greens, as well as the comfort of knowing the area is well protected by its National Park status.

Jennie Hancock was delighted to chat with the Daily Mail about the benefits of living within the South Downs National Park, and why Petworth now vies with the Cotswolds as a classic English country town, attracting local families, downsizers and Londoners seeking a weekend bolthole.

You can read the article here if you’re a Mail+ subscriber.