Expert advice on relocating outside of London
Interest in properties outside of London has risen steadily since the market reopened after a brief lockdown in May. Data from Rightmove shows that there has been a 126% increase in Londoners interested in buying a village home since last year.
While trends towards leaving London were present prior to the pandemic, lockdown does seem to have increased buyers’ appetite for larger properties in more scenic areas.
Ben Gee, founder of Wokingham estate agency Hat and Home, has assisted plenty of relocations outside of London during lockdown. We sat down with Ben to get his top tips for moving away from the city.
What are the main reasons you’re seeing for relocating – why have your clients been moving out of London?
Berkshire and the home counties have always been a natural draw for those ready to part company with London life, but this year we have seen a greater demand than ever before. The reasons for this are obvious and stem from the COVID-19 pandemic. A disproportionate amount of time spent indoors highlighted inadequacies in people’s current home in terms of space, condition, access to a garden and the ability to work from home. This prompted many people to re-evaluate their short and medium-term housing plans.
For many, it was simply a decision to leave the rental sector and get on the property ladder, for others the overwhelming need for more living space and a bigger garden encouraged them to accelerate their move, with many ‘leapfrogging’ what would have been their final move within London and heading out of town.
“Houses and properties became ‘homes’ again during the pandemic and we all re-connected with what a home is all about, which created an even greater desire to find the perfect place to live.”
What are some common issues with a move like this?
While moving away from the City used to mean a shift in working practices, this is no longer the case for many people.
A seismic shift in the ability to work remotely certainly made re-locating a great deal easier. Many firms are offering 100% home-working whilst for others, a day or two a week travelling back into London is a compromise worth making for the benefits of a larger home.
Can you give us your top tips for securing a purchase, for those considering moving away from the City?
While the appeals of moving away from London include a slower pace of life, the property market doesn’t always slow down the further away from the City you get – especially in more popular areas.
Relocating can be a difficult move, especially in a busy market where housing stock is in short supply and moving quickly. It is essential to be flexible with viewing availability so you don’t miss out on opportunities, as waiting until the weekend will probably be too late.
Developing relationships with estate agents and being very clear about your requirements is also extremely important so that you are informed about properties as soon as they come to market.
What are the benefits of working with a London-based solicitor even when moving out of the city?
Selling and buying what is likely to be your biggest asset is not a transaction to take lightly and you should surround yourself with a great team.
Using a London-based solicitor will certainly benefit you in the sale of your current home, especially if it is leasehold, but the speed at which they are used to operating will also ensure you secure an exchange of contracts on your purchase as soon as possible.
If you’re considering a move out of London, having a sharp, proactive team around you is a must to keep your purchase on track. Speak to our Property team on 020 3146 6300 for more information and to get Sale Ready.
