House price growth in 10 commuter towns has outstripped the capital over the past year, according to buying agents Garrington Property Finders.
While Land Registry data shows the average price of London property rose by 11 percent in the 12 months to September, house price growth in Brentwood and Canterbury was 16 percent.
Brentwood in Essex, which is a 35-minute train ride from London saw the average semi-detached home appreciate by £64,289 in the 12 months to September.
The towns with the next highest prices rises were Hertford, Fleet, Maidenhead, High Wycombe, Reading, St Albans, Oxford and Farnborough.
By value, the highest rise recorded by the survey was seen in Maidenhead, where a detached house rose by £91,131 (14 percent) over the year.
Jonathan Hopper, managing director at buying agents Garrington Property Finders, attributed the differential to the trend of thousands of Londoners to move out of the capital for better value, more space and a wider choice of schools.
“The combination of both better value and better rates of capital appreciation is a compelling one, but the picture across the commuter belt is very mixed – and buyers need expert intelligence to identify the areas with the greatest potential," said Hopper.
Trevor Whiting, a partner at Core Financial Services, an Essex based IFA, attributed the record growth in Brentwood to the opening of Crossrail/ the Elizabeth line in 2018.
"I don't think it is Towie (reality show The Only Way is Essex, which takes place in Brentwood) that has increased prices. Crossrail is producing a strong attraction for the area and Brentwood has good public schools too," he said.
