Harpenden House Prices

According to property website Rightmove house asking prices have risen to their highest level for nearly three years. The average asking price for a home rose to £238,874 in May, up 1.3 per cent on the previous month, it is now at its highest level since June 2008.

The local Harpenden housing market, according to Sally Noakes of Strutt and Parker, remains strong.  Housing website Home.co.uk claims that the current average house on the market in Harpenden costs £662, 122 with the average time on the market being just 88 days!  According to Paul Cook's online 'Top Ten most expensive places to live in the UK'; Harpenden is number 6 and is the most expensive place to live in the East; he claims that 'house prices of £1.5 million aren't rare and the average price is well within the half a million range.'  This buoyant market is due largely to Harpenden's enviable location, fast communications into the City and the renowned state and private schools.  Local estate agents agree that living within catchment areas to good local schools definitely affects both prices and saleability, but we are fortunate in Harpenden and have extremely successful state schools, resulting in a very high number of sought after roads; although this year's school admissions nightmare may have an impact on the local housing market.

Prices currently remain steady and Strutt and Parker 'anticipate that people seeking quality properties that will be their home or at the very least a medium term investment, will not regret a decision to move.'  With the warmer weather and gardens now in bloom, Spring is traditionally considered to be one of the best times to sell property; but Harpenden seems to have its own 'micro- housing market' and is seemingly unaffected by a seasonal market.

If you are considering putting your house on the market Sally, from Strutt and Parker, has the following advice:

• Get your property is good shape
• Decorate if necessary    
• Clear out clutter to present the house to its best potential
• Instruct an agent you can trust and who can effectively market your property to both a local and national audience and who will keep you updated with regular feedback.

What do you think about the housing market in Harpenden?  Has the recent school admissions problem made you think about moving?