REIGATE: MY 20-YEAR PERSPECTIVE

Q: Hi Chris. From focussing your work on Reigate over the long period of 20 years, what are the most positive changes you have witnessed?

For me personally, I think it has to be the significant improvement of the High Street. In recent years, we have seen a range of up-market retailers make their mark on Reigate, starting with United Colours of Benetton, then Sweaty Betty and Space NK, and eateries such as Cote Brasserie. This investment has been fuelled by more people making the move from South West London to Surrey over the last 20 years, engaging in a family-life in the peaceful countryside but only adding 40 minutes onto their commute into the city.

Q: In terms of the property market in Reigate, can you expand on the changes that you have seen over the course of your career?

When I first began working in Reigate, a two-bedroom terraced cottage would have been priced between £125,000 and £130,000 – now, this would cost the prospective buyer around £500,000. It is no secret that there has been a dramatic rise in property prices since the early 2000’s with many people flocking to the commuter belt rather than central London itself. During this time, young people who owned small city-based properties set out to Surrey to invest in a larger property for a lower price.

Q: Why is Reigate a great place to buy a property?

Reigate is an excellent choice of location that simply cannot be beaten in many areas. A rural and picturesque market town in the Surrey Hills, Reigate also has exceptional transport links – it is only a 40-minute journey into London Victoria, and from most properties you can drive onto the M25 within 10 minutes. However, even with the city so close, Reigate still maintains a close-knit community feel.

Additionally, I always try to emphasise to my customers the variety of property available in the area. This makes Reigate a great spot for any house-hunter, as it offers anything from a trendy one-bedroom apartment to a grand detached country home.

Q: Drawing on your past experience, what would you say the future holds for Reigate?

In my opinion, in the long-term Reigate would benefit from a bypass. As the A25 runs straight through Reigate Town Centre, this can cause congestion on the High Street if there are issues on the M25 and create difficulties for local residents. This would also greatly enhance property prices in the area, making right now an ideal time to invest in a property in Reigate.

I have also talked previously about the fantastic investment in Reigate’s High Street, and I feel that this is only going to improve further. Due to Reigate’s prime location, high-end retailers are bound to see the benefit of gaining a spot in this exclusive position.