Winter Edition 2015

Do you pick the house or the school first?
Guy Robinson
Head of Agency,
Strutt & Parker
Parents perceive
fi nding a home in the
catchment area of their
preferred school to
be a top priority when
looking for a new place
to live.
A recent poll* showed
that more than a quarter
of parents have bought
or rented a new property in order to help
their child get a place in their desired
school. Not only this, it showed that they are
prepared to pay a premium of up to 18% for
the privilege.
The fi ndings show that 46% of families in
London and 46% of those in the North East
have moved to be close to a good school.
This compares to 29% of families in the
South East, 25% in Yorkshire and Humber,
24% in the North West and 11% in Wales.
“Competition for properties
close to the best schools can
be fierce.”
A survey by Which? earlier this year similarly
revealed that nine in 10 homebuyers
refused to compromise on their new home’s
proximity to local schools. Guy Robinson,
head of agency at Strutt & Parker, says: “It is
undeniably clear that schools are the single
biggest motivator for most homebuyers with
children under 18, and understandably so.
Competition for properties close to the best
schools can be fi erce, particularly those
which are oversubscribed.”
He advises that picking the school fi rst rather
than the house is the most sensible way for
a young family to approach a long term
move. “If the house of your dreams is not
located close enough to your child’s school,
it may become a reason to move again
further down the line. For a long term and
happy move, the location needs to tick the
right box as much as the house.”
“The location needs to tick
the right box as much as the
house.”
Guy continues: “I often hear proximity to
schools is why so many people choose to
sell; perhaps the school run has become too
much, or juggling the numerous afterschool
clubs is no longer working. My advice would
be to think ahead to where your family will
be in 5 years and consider how the location
of the house will affect everyone.”
“Finding a home near the right school, in an
accessible location, and close to transport
links might seem like a hard task, but
work with your estate agent and stay open
minded. Lifestyle is, and always will be, the
biggest consideration factor when moving
house.”
For more information, contact your local
Strutt & Parker office.
t: 07944397489
e: helen@reidcreative.co.uk
www.reidcreative.co.uk
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* Santander, 2015
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