Here you will find a general overview of the area

"House price ‘hot spots’ in the South East include Rickmansworth, where house prices have risen by 35% over the last year to reach £441,056, Maldon, where house prices have risen by 30% to reach £253,492 and Alton, where house prices have risen by 30% to reach £317,273.   Weybridge is the most expensive place to live in the South East with an average house price of £505,569.  The most affordable area to live in the South East is Gosport, where the average house price is £136,140. 

Selected areas in the South East have continued to experience solid growth and recent developments have continued to attract interest from buyers.

House prices in Portsmouth have increased by 11% over the last year from £143,496 to £158,682.  Portsmouth's exclusive areas - Havant, Waterlooville and Fareham - remain popular and properties in these areas are sold at premium prices.

First time buyers are showing interest in properties within the Gosport area, located one and a half hour’s drive away (in rush hour traffic) from Portsmouth (£158,682) on the A32.  A new, up and coming area, recent development in Gosport have resulted in an increase in the supply of £250-500,000 properties in Gosport's Priddy Hard.

The areas of Hastings and St. Leonards remain firm favorites with first time buyers, who traditionally buy flats and small houses up to £120,000. However, talk of expansion and local development in Hastings, along with improved rail links and the approved A21 bypass has seen an influx of investor purchasers.  House prices in Hastings have increased by 21% over the last year from £157,558 to £191,424.

The housing market in Brighton has seen an increase in the number of viewings on converted and purpose built one and two bedroom flats with properties in the region of £170,000 continuing to sell well. 

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First time buyers are traditionally buying flats within the £150,000 price range.  Interest is also shown in quality, three bedroom period houses up to £350,000 as soon as they come onto the market.

House prices in Seaford upon the South East coast have increased by 12% over the last year from £180,123 to £201,276.  Two to three bedroom houses selling in the region of £150,000 and £180,000 and bungalows selling for between £150,000 and £200,000 continue to be popular.

House prices in Hove have risen by 4% over the last year to an average of £213,295.  One and two bedroom flats in the region of £180,000 continue to sell well.  Hove's seafront by King Alfred’s leisure centre is currently being earmarked for re-development, including the introduction of new flats, leisure complexes, shops and a casino.  In addition, the Seven Dials area, in the centre of the city close to Brighton station continues to be popular.

The housing market in Shoreham-by-sea has begun to pick up, especially for flats and small houses.  House prices in the area have increased by 13% to £211,317.   However, the market for bungalows is lagging behind and houses at the top of the market are taking longer to sell.  There is currently development activity in the Shoreham Beach area and also in central Shoreham-by-Sea.  North Shoreham and any roads north of Upper Shoreham Road are very popular because the properties there tend to be larger and spaced further apart.

The housing market in Slough is buoyant and house prices have increased by 9% over the last year to reach £222,710.  Being strategically located, Slough is within reach of M4, M25, M40 and Heathrow and is ideal for commuters into London.  Slough is extremely popular with first time buyers and investors. A recent influx of properties onto the market has increased buying power. Properties within the Castle view school catchment area are highly sought after by families with interest shown as soon they come onto the market.

Affordability constraints have seen more buyers look at the West Kent commuter belt where areas such as Royal Tunbridge Wells are more affordable and only a 45-minute train journey from London.  Coupled with the upmarket image and excellent proximity to the A21/ M25, Tunbridge Wells has become a haven for people seeking a flavour of town and country life. New apartments are particularly attractive for first time buyers, young professionals and commuters in areas such as St Johns and the village area, which are located near to Tunbridge Wells' train station.  

Families in Tunbridge Wells traditionally seek properties within the catchment areas of Claremont Primary School, St. James' Primary School, along with the Tunbridge Wells Boys and Girls Grammar Schools. These schools rank as some of the best in the country.  House prices in Tunbridge Wells have increased by 16% over the last year from £238,342 to £277,131.

Plans to electrify the train link between Hastings and Ashford would make a trip to London just over an hour long, rather than the current one hour and forty minutes.  This has helped house prices in Ashford to increase by 7% over the last year from £188,478 to £201,866.

The excellent road networks in Maidstone and the planned high-speed rail link to London, have had a positive impact on house prices, which have grown by 8% over the last year to £220,496.  Bearsted and Allington continue to be the local hot spots due to their excellent reputations, good schools and outstanding transport infrastructure.  Two bedroom terraced houses are the most popular in Maidstone.  Increased development has seen more new build properties going up just outside the town area and the redevelopment of ex-council areas.