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.

Many of our clients have Selborne on their wish list. They are focusing on this picturesque village, which is nestled in the rolling hills of Hampshire.

The attraction for buyers is easy to understand as this is a charming village and a delightful escape into the heart of the English countryside.

Renowned for its picturesque landscapes and rich literary heritage, the village exudes a gentle beauty and warm community spirit. This charm is especially felt in its iconic local landmarks, like the 12th-century Selborne Church, Gilbert White’s House, and the welcoming Selborne Arms.

These spots are perfect preludes to a brisk walk up the famous zigzag path, which rewards visitors with panoramic county views and scenic trails that wind through lush greenery – an experience best capped off by a convivial rest in the Selborne Arms.

Selborne Common boasts ancient oaks and vibrant wildlife, and is a haven for walkers and bird watchers alike. Whether you’re hiking up to the views from the top of the hills or enjoying a leisurely stroll, the fresh air and stunning vistas are invigorating.

The village is also home to a warm and welcoming community, where local shops and cosy pubs create a sense of belonging.

As seasons change, Selborne transforms into a patchwork of colours, each with its own charm. Spring brings vibrant blooms, summer bursts with lush greenery, autumn showcases golden leaves, and winter blankets the village in a soft hush of snow.

We were delighted to share our thoughts ahead of the Autumn Budget with the leading luxury property journal, PrimeResi.

Top of the Property Acquisitions wish list is a plea for the government to stop raiding the pockets of homebuyers through stamp duty – a prohibitive tax that restricts movement and suffocates the housing market – and consider reducing or scrapping it altogether for downsizers.

Founder and Director Jennie Hancock says: “I remember when stamp duty was 1% and it was something people paid without much thought, in the same way as they paid their estate agent or solicitor. Now, it discourages activity at all levels of the market, especially at the top where people who would like to downsize just can’t come to terms with handing potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds to the tax man.

“They would rather resign themselves to staying in their home and spend that money on employing a gardener or a housekeeper instead, when if they had moved it would have set in motion an entire chain of transactions at all levels of the market.

“Stamp duty is such a prohibitive tax, and that was clear for everyone to see during covid when the market was freed from its constraints. Scrapping or reducing stamp duty for downsizers would kick start the housing market by removing the enormous disincentive to move at the top.”

Having the inside track on the best towns and villages is one of the many advantages of using a buying agent, who knows their patch inside out – from the best schools, to the new farm shop that’s about to open, or the quickest back route to the station.

But if you’re new to an area and don’t have expert guidance, it can be much more difficult to work out whether a place is right for you.

Our founder and director Jennie Hancock was delighted to share her insights with The Sunday Times, advising buyers on the best way to recce a new area so they can be confident they’re making the right decision.

You can read the full article here if you’re a Sunday Times subscribe