_Knight Frank's Guildford office set for record year as home buyers seek slice of good life

My trumpeting of a close to record year for the Guildford office is met with a fairly predictable response - "what's Knight Frank doing differently" or the blunter, "why"?

As property markets nationwide sag under the weight of collective caution, our office is buoyed the comforting sound of phones ringing followed by the satisfaction of viewings being booked in and unabashed euphoria of offers being made.

Although there is a small element of buyers being timorous, Guildford and the sought after surrounds seem to  be - so far, so good -  well immunised against Brexit uncertainty.

Firstly, and I know I'm biased, Knight Frank has the best properties on the market that are, perhaps most importantly, sensibly and realistically priced and our team is well known and respected in the area. 

It's a real privilege to be a 'go to' agent for those buying and selling and who come to us time and again whether to make an investment in a new build in Guildford town centre or upsize to a larger family home.

This, combined with an office offering the full suite of services rentals, valuations, consultancy, finance and strategic land sales makes for a stand out and fairly bullet proof operation. 

Above: Guildford's pretty high street attracts the crowds

Secondly, the area does much of the legwork. Aesthetically, Guildford and the surrounding villages promise a slice of the good life -  the area has gentle dynamism and is quintessentially British - the country pubs, the thatched cottages and village greens - which people love.

Fringed by wonderful countryside, Guildford sits within the Surrey Hills which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that runs from Reigate in the east towards Farnham in the west. 

Rural Surrey has some of the finest countryside in the south east and offers activities for all, not least the ever increasing recreational hobby of road cycling and mountain biking - the hills are awash with lycra clad cyclists at the weekend.

Perhaps the biggest draw to the area, unyielding in its appeal, is the excellent schooling and homes near some of the South East's best state and private schools continue to kindle interest from domestic - particularly families migrating from South West London - and overseas buyers keen on securing a place. Top performing schools in the area include Guildford High School and The Royal Grammar School.

For those commuting into London, connectivity couldn't be better; you can leave Guildford and reach central London in 34 minutes - less than some tube journeys.

The same can be said for Woking further up the line where there is an even better train service with trains stopping at Clapham Junction before terminating at Waterloo in 23 minutes.

Guildford, a commuter's haven, is made for Londoners that don't want live in London. It's an historic, prosperous market town with a thriving, pretty high street dotted with fine dining restaurants such as The Ivy Castle View and high end boutiques normally reserved for the poshest enclaves of the Capital.

Further afield, the villages claiming starring roles in this part of Surrey are Shamley Green, Wonersh and Bramley. Those moving from London or other parts of the UK are drawn to the pretty housing stock, large gardens, vibrant social calendar and strong community feel - just the tonic for hardened city folk grappling for a better work/life balance. Demand for homes in these prime villages often outstrip supply and shows few signs of fluctuation.

It is safe to say, no matter what the economic or political climate, people buy-in into good places on bad days. 

Tim Harriss is Head of Knight Frank Guildford and has been selling houses in the area since 1991.

If you'd like more information on moving to Guildford and the surrounds, contact our Guildford office. We're happy to help: