Catching the right area

Applications for schools, whether state or private, will be a looming thought for many parents in the autumn term, with applications needing to be submitted anytime from November to January, so where to live can become a key factor in those life choices.

Living near excellent schools is the perfect reason to want to invest in a property when you have children who are about to start, or who are already in education. Arguably, homes close to good schools typically hold their value more steadily than the average property in the UK, and there will always be a need for education hubs where children can learn and grow. Research carried out by Zoopla at the start of 2022 showed that there are huge premiums to securing a property in a good catchment area, the average premium UK-wide being £82,960, with the figure rising to £209,599 in London. This time of year often acts as a prompt for parents to consider those all important decisions, especially as many home-movers will have had the opportunity to think and reflect during the summer break.

Starting the process of selling and searching for a new home should be considered sooner rather than later. Central London, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and South West London are all popular areas for both independent and state schools, with Surrey and the Home Counties performing well too. An essential consideration for many families looking to move is knowing that when their children become old enough to transport themselves to school, they can make their own way, without a long daily commute. At John D Wood & Co., we have 150 years’ experience in selling and letting property where our agents have invaluable local insight of their area, and are fully adept at helping you move close to your desired school.