Bexhill-on-Sea tops property hotspot list as young blood moves in

An East Sussex coastal town sometimes referred to as “God’s waiting room” has topped the latest list of property hotspots, with the number of homes for sale in Bexhill-on-Sea nearly doubling compared with last year.

An East Sussex coastal town sometimes referred to as “God’s waiting room” has topped the latest list of property hotspots, with the number of homes for sale in Bexhill-on-Sea nearly doubling compared with last year.

The number of properties in Bexhill-on-Sea, where the average asking price is £342,265, have jumped by 88 per cent in a year while the average asking price is 13 per cent higher, according to Rightmove data. Bexhill-on-sea locals have said more property owners are hoping to cash in on a boom in demand from flexible-working Londoners who want more space and to live by the sea and are now prepared to commute two hours if it is only for two or three days each week.

The town, which once had the highest number of centenarians in the country has been attempting a youthful revival with the De La Warr Pavilion hosting modern art exhibitions and music and comedy gigs. The nearby larger towns of Hastings and Eastbourne have both experienced an influx of young former city dwellers who have moved since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The market has picked up pace after a busy festive period, and it’s a really encouraging sign to see more properties start to come to market for sale,” Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property data, said.

“These new sellers will be met by plenty of eager buyers, as the data shows the number of inquiries for homes for sale is even higher than this time last year. This means that while rising numbers of new homes for sale will be very welcome, buyers will face stiff competition for available properties, and should act fast when a property they like comes on to the market.”

High Peak in Derbyshire followed Bexhill-on-Sea on the list of new house supply hotspots with an 82 per cent increase in new sellers.

Chelmsford in Essex was third with a 58 per cent rise in new properties for sale.