The value of a property with a sea view in Britain has jumped by more than a quarter since 2019 as buyers continue to seek out homes by the coast, according to new figures from Rightmove.
The average asking price of a house with a view of the sea has risen to £298,810, up from £235,635 in 2019 – a rise of 27%. This has outpaced the national average of a 22% increase for British properties during that time.
Regional Increases
The East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber have seen the biggest increases for sea view homes, with gains of 55% and 53% respectively, according to the report.
But the South East is the most expensive region for a sea view property, with asking prices now at £416,375 on average, followed by the South West at £398,764. Scotland is the most affordable region for sea view homes, with an average asking price of £166,068.
Top Premium Locations
West Mersea in Essex had the biggest sea view premium, with an asking price of £655,479 on average compared with an average coastal value of £433,185 in the area. Another spot in Essex also proved appealing to buyers, with Frinton-on-Sea seeing asking prices for homes with a sea view rise 36% when compared with the average on the coast.
Buyers in Broadstairs, Kent, pay an average £128,943 extra to have a sea view, while in Littlehampton, West Sussex, they pay £120,696 extra on average.
Expert Comment
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said: “A sea view has long been seen as one of the most desirable features a home can offer, and our latest analysis shows buyers are willing to pay a significant premium for one.
“While some of Britain’s most prestigious coastal locations continue to command the highest prices, we’re also seeing notable growth in more affordable seaside areas, suggesting that sea view homes are becoming increasingly valuable across a wider range of the market.
“For buyers, it highlights the importance of considering not just the property itself, but the lifestyle and setting that come with it.”
