What is it about Norfolk?

Published: 19/02/2019

As a company, in the last month Sowerbys have already registered 647 applicants, arranged 999 viewings, attended 197 valuations and agreed 59 sales. In terms of year on year comparisons, this equates to a 11% increase in valuations, 27% increase in viewings and 26% increase in agreed sales.

Despite the challenges of the current market, we have been able to exercise good sales progression, communication and accurate valuations which means we are continuing to deviate from national trends. Indeed, in 2018 we registered 8% more applicants and arranged 8% more viewings than in 2017 which resulted in our best ever year for sales agreed and exchanges.

Applicants, viewings and valuations are at an all-time high, but it’s not just our expertise which is bringing in such robust figures. It’s the very county we live in and love. Norfolk is our trump card.



But why do people gravitate to the land of big skies?

The long and beautiful stretches of coastline, swathes of rolling countryside, picturesque villages and abundance of wildlife will often top the lists of reasons why people love Norfolk.

Part of this county’s charm is that it is harder to reach than many other parts of the UK but is still only a couple of hours from London. Commuters eschew it and instead the weekenders, work-from-homers and life-changers look to place roots here. They love the period charm, outdoor life and space this part of the country offers.




Norfolk has some of the best pubs and schools in the country. There’s the Broads which offer long days relaxing on the waterways, which have even offered celebrities an escape from the outside world. The fine city of Norwich offers a unique shopping experience and is a haven for creatives, being a UNESCO City of Literature. Renowned chefs have established iconic eateries including Galton Blackiston’s Morston Hall and Roger Hickman’s Restaurant. The rolling hills and flat vistas are a dream for cyclists, the nature reserves a second home for bird watchers and open spaces the perfect antidote to life in the big smoke.

But there’s much than first meets the eye. Towns across the county feature regularly in The Guardian’s ‘Let’s move to’ guides, which often point to the independent businesses, local producers and strong sense of community drawing the out of towners. Londoners are becoming enamoured with life in the countryside where they can keep chickens, grow fresh food in their gardens and breathe the crisp air. It’s all about seeking a new lifestyle, one that is calm, pleasant and easy.

The property market in the capital is a tough one right now; it’s slow and there has been a drop in property prices. As such, people are moving to Norfolk before they buy, which has contributed to a strong rental market. So, whether buyers are coming here to move straight into their new countryside retreat or rent a property while they search for that dream home, they show no signs of slowing down. The local market is healthier than ever, and we are confident it will remain so – the figures are going from strength to strength which speaks volumes in a very uncertain market.

We are busier than we have ever been, and it’s Norfolk, not just Sowerbys, doing all the hard work.

To find out how much your home in Norfolk is worth, book a full valuation here.