Bill Lightfoot, Managing Director at Hobbs Parker, talks about the new affordable Sevenoaks which is just 15 minutes from the award-winning beach of Camber Sands!
It is five years since high speed commuter services began from Ashford, Kent. Jump on a sleek Javelin train and London is 38 minutes away. Board a Eurostar in the opposite direction and Paris awaits in under two hours.
This makes Ashford an unusually accessible hub in the south east. If you need motorways, there’s the M20; if you want to escape, you’re surrounded by the beautiful North Downs, the Weald and the wilds of Romney Marsh. The vast expanse of Camber Sands is just quarter of an hour away or you could be teeing off in 10 at Chart Hills golf course.
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But in property terms, how does Ashford compare to more traditional (and notably more expensive) commuter towns with similarly good transport links?
Housing in the town remains surprisingly affordable with the average Ashford home costing £221,000 – £65,000 less than Kent as a whole. There are neighbourhoods where you can still buy a well-presented three-bedroom house for less than £200,000, making Ashford appealing to young families and investors alike. In the nearby picturesque villages, a budget of £400,000-£500,000 will buy a handsome detached home. Spend £600,000-£700,000 and you can add some land – www.hobbsparker.co.uk/estateagents
Five years ago, million pound homes in Kent were the reserve of parts of the county closer to London. Today, a glance at OnTheMarket.com’s properties for sale near Ashford reveals close to 100 properties in the £1million-£4million bracket. Sales of £1million homes have been stronger for us in 2015 than at any other point in recent years.
Now is a good time to invest in lettings too. Rental prices are up by around 10% on last year, particularly for two-bedroom homes which are in short supply (and typically let for £750-£800 PCM). Landlords who are prepared to put effort into upgrading their rental properties could enjoy higher rents too – local renters are prepared to pay for well-appointed homes and stay in them longer.
So, yes, the market is currently strong and supports the idea that Ashford has come through the recession better than many. Last year, sales prices in the town itself rose by, on average, 8.1%. Some of the more desirable areas around Ashford, such as Tenterden, performed impressively with increases of 20% or more, tying in with recent statistics showing greater movement in the counties around London. In the last 12 months we’ve seen more and more buyers and renters looking beyond established commuter hotspots, keen to understand what their money will buy, and they find the Ashford area both attractive and competitive.
Another strong factor for Ashford is schooling. Kent still maintains the 11 Plus and there are two grammar schools in the town, along with a range of state and independent schools. For younger families we find well-rated village schools are key, which has increased demand for local villages, many of which boast ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ primaries.
And Ashford itself? The centre has some pretty cobbled streets and a medieval square surrounding a noted church plus a range of mixed housing. Improvements have been made in recent years to the shops and roads and the council has a significant programme of on-going investment. Population is c.75,000 and with unemployment rates amongst the lowest in the county (and significantly below the national average), there is confidence in the local economy.
It’s true that many locals view Ashford as a fairly perfunctory place, but it has the main shops you’d expect, parking is straight forward and access is good. For bigger shopping thrills there is the award-winning designer outlet village and a newly built John Lewis ‘Home’. Those seeking more specialist shops and gastronomic delights can head for Canterbury – a 20 minute drive – or to the ‘Gem of the Weald’, Tenterden, a Georgian market town with its own strong property market. There are plenty of upmarket eateries too, such as the Michelin-starred West House in Biddenden.
Ashford may not be Sevenoaks – yet – but there’s a reason why most people who move here choose to stay in the area – it’s affordable, accessible and enjoyable.
See www.onthemarket.com/newandexclusive. Agents specify exclusivity and are committed to accuracy under terms of use.
