The complete guide to purchasing a home in the Brighton and Hove area
Brighton, short for Brighton and Hove, is a popular tourist destination on the East Sussex coast that combines the best of a beach town with those of a metropolis while still being within easy commuting distance of London. For those seeking to escape the congestion of the capital and for young people eager to take advantage of the city’s many attractions, Brighton is a fashionable option.
Investing in Brighton and Hove: Why?
Although both Brighton and Hove are part of the same metropolis, they have very distinct personalities. Those seeking the city’s livelier atmosphere are drawn to Brighton, while those seeking a more relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere are drawn to Hove. Because of all the options, many people are drawn to Brighton & Hove as a place to purchase or rent a home.
You can rest assured that you won’t be wanting for conveniences or entertainment in any section of town.
Large pebble beach with beach huts and seafront gardens are popular attractions in peaceful Hove. This is in addition to the skatepark, green area, and lake at Western Lawns, where you can learn to windsurf, wakeboard, sail, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
Relax in stunning Hove Park, or stroll along the ‘Strip,’ a mile of cafes, restaurants, bars, and stores with an indie vibe. This popular area is almost 40 acres in size and includes a football field, basketball court, multiple tennis courts, and a bowling green, among other recreational amenities. Aside from the giant rock that is speculated to have been used by the Druids for religious purposes and the enclosed playground, there is also a miniature train that operates during the summer months.
The King Alfred Leisure Centre is the largest wet and dry center in the region, and the family-friendly Hove Museum and Art Gallery has an extensive collection of toys.
Any group of people can find something to do in Brighton’s vibrant nightlife. You can visit the one-of-a-kind Royal Pavilion, have a blast at the fair on Brighton Pier, stroll through The Lanes and Kemptown, or enjoy some fish and chips while relaxing on the shore.
Stand-up paddleboarding, paddling, and fishing are just a few of the many water sports available to those with an interest in the outdoors. Brighton & Hove Albion, a Premier League football team, and Sussex County Cricket Club, the world’s longest county club, both offer indoor sporting events for those who would rather avoid the rain.
If you really need to get away from the city, the South Downs offer a wide variety of scenic cliff walks and paths.
Brighton is regularly listed as one of the best locations to start a company in the United Kingdom, which is great if you want to cut down on your commute time and take advantage of all the city has to offer. According to Startups, in December 2022, it was rated third in business activity. It has a large population of highly educated people, making it one of the best places to find an employment in the United Kingdom.
Education in Brighton and Hove
As a city that attracts many families, it should come as no wonder that Brighton is home to excellent educational institutions catering to students of all ages. Of the elementary schools in the area, those with the highest Ofsted ratings are St. Bartholomew’s, West Blatchington elementary and Nursery, and St. Mary Magdalen.
Common secondary school options in the area include Blatchington Mill School, King’s School, Hove Park School, and the Sixth Form Centre.
Private options in Brighton include the 3-11-year-old Windlesham School Trust, the 1-18-year-old Montessori Place, and the 3-13-year-old Brighton College Nursery, Pre-Prep, and Prep School.
Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Hove Park School, and Brighton Aldridge Community Academy all offer sixth forms, so Brighton students who want to continue their educations are well serviced. Full-time programs at Greater Brighton Metropolitan College are designed to equip students with the knowledge and expertise necessary to succeed in a variety of fields. There are degree programs and classes tailored to working adults. Varndean College also provides the International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition to more than 30 standard A-Levels, numerous vocational programs, a limited number of GCSEs, and a few IB classes.
Also contributing to the thriving rental market in Brighton is The University of Brighton, which has around 18,000 pupils spread across its four campuses in Brighton and Eastbourne.
Facilitating Movement
Brighton is a great option for those who want to live by the water while maintaining easy access to London and beyond. Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and Southern provide the bulk of service to the Brighton railway station. It provides a quick way into the city, stopping at St. Pancras International, London Victoria, and London Bridge (via Thameslink). All of these paths get you to Gatwick Airport. It’s possible to get to London in a little over an hour. Season tickets for a year will put you back close to £4,500, while weekly tickets cost £112.
The Brighton and Hove housing market
Rightmove reports that in 2017, the average price of a home in the Brighton & Hove area was £497,238.
The majority of property transactions in Brighton & Hove involve apartments, which typically trade for an average price of just under £370,000. On average, a terraced house will set you back just over £570,000. You can expect to pay a hefty premium for accommodations right on the shore or within walking distance of the water. Prices for semi-detached homes average £608,137.
The vast selection of homes on the market is a major strength for the Brighton area. premium real estate in Brighton can cost over £2.5 million for a detached home with a water view, and around £1.5 million for a premium apartment. On the low end, you could spend as little as £170,000 on a studio apartment, £190,000 on a one- or two-bedroom condo, or £325,000 on a two-bedroom house.
The average price of a home sold in Brighton and Hove in the past 12 months was £435,447, up 7% from the previous year and 14% from the all-time high set in 2020.
Housing options in Brighton and Hove
There are a variety of neighborhoods in and around Brighton & Hove that will suit a variety of lifestyles and preferences. The city has a wide variety of housing choices, from brand-new construction with options for shared ownership to beautiful conversions to more classic Georgian mansions.
The most expensive real estate is located in the downtown area, where townhomes and apartments predominate. The seaside also features many beautiful regency-era buildings, many of which have been renovated into renting units.
The interior suburbs of a city typically have more reasonably priced homes, such as Victorian terraced houses, making them an attractive option for those on a tighter budget. Places like Poets Corner, Hanover, and Hollingbury are perfect for families. It’s important to keep in mind that costs in affluent Hove may exceed those in the city as a whole.
Shoreham, Lancing, Saltdean, and Peacehaven are just a few of the lovely communities that encircle Brighton & Hove and have attracted more and more attention in recent years.
Brighton and Hove investment properties
Brighton and Hove have one of the highest rental numbers in the UK, making them a potentially lucrative investment. Again, certain areas of the city enjoy tremendous popularity, such as the downtown and the beachfront, which are frequented by tourists and young professionals. Student renters favor neighborhoods like Hove and Queens Park, as well as Elm Grove, Hollingdean, Kemptown, and Moulsecoomb, while young families prefer Seven Dials, Queens Park, Preston Park, and Fiveways, all of which were included in the top ten of the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live guide for 2022. The average leasing yield is around 4%.
Located in the heart of Brighton & Hove, Novello is an absolute must-see
Novello’s RICS-qualified surveyors are here to help, whether you’re seeking to buy a beautiful Hove family home, a seaside retreat, or a city center buy-to-let.
It is crucial to get a comprehensive survey before committing to a purchase in Brighton & Hove due to the high number of houses that have been renovated, converted, and modernized. Novello’s Private Client Surveying service, in conjunction with our comprehensive Building Survey, examines every facet of a building. We also provide comprehensive follow-up advise, such as estimating the price of any major works, assisting in the collection of quotes for any additional investigations, and even providing guidance on renegotiation tactics.
We also provide snagging lists for new construction buyers to make sure their new house is in pristine shape before they move in.
We provide a thorough, unbiased survey, invaluable follow-up guidance, and prompt, friendly service at all times in an effort to earn the reputation as Brighton and Hove’s most cost-effective and adaptable surveying firm.