West Sussex, UK, 11th Feb 2022, ZEXPRWIRE, Tod Anstee have a high proportion of Chichester’s waterside houses for sale at present, as vendors put their faith in one of the leading independent estate agents in Chichester with a long connection to Chichester Harbour as well as an understanding of the discerning London buyer.

Director John Anstee explains the unique allure of the area:

“Where else on the Sussex coast can you own property in an area of outstanding natural beauty offering an amazing natural harbour with outstanding sailing and marina facilities, proximity to the Solent, and an abundance of good houses for sale within a selection of charming waterside villages?”

Chichester Harbour – A Unique Sailing Environment

Chichester harbour really is one of the only coastal sailing locations accessible within a short drive from South West London, which has excellent sailing for all ages and experience levels. As the younger junior sailors head out from the protected waters of the numerous sailing clubs of Itchenor, Bosham, Dell Quay and Thorney Island, more experienced sailors can experience good winds and the more challenging conditions towards the entrance to Chichester Harbour and the Solent beyond.

Not only does the harbour offer sailing for families simply looking for a nice day out on the water but the varying conditions make the harbour an excellent training ground for those with ambition. Silver Olympic Medalist and winning Volvo Round the World skipper Ian Walker is still a member of Itchenor Sailing Club, while Rio Olympic Gold Medalists in the women’s 470s, Saskia Clark and Hannah Mills both attended Chichester College and sailed out of Itchenor.

Swallows and Amazons lifestyle

The recent remake of Swallows and Amazons starring local Chichester schoolboy Bobby McCulloch will only enhance the area’s attraction to the kind of active young family seeking the outdoors lifestyle within two hours of South West London.

Many of the Chichester sailing clubs have 3 generations of families as active members and this is only too visible on an average weekend when grandparents help launch their grandchildren’s dinghies from the quay while the parents volunteer out on the water in the numerous club safety boats.

One local sailing family who count themselves among the UK’s few round the world sailors having competed in the Clipper ‘96 Round-the-World Yacht Race, explain the attraction for their children is not just about the sailing: “Our children appreciate the social side of the sailing clubs as much if not more than the sailing itself. For them it is an opportunity to hang out with friends at the weekend in a safe and fun environment. These friends are often not from their school – they are making friends with kids who might live in London or outside the county, which expands their friendship groups in a positive way.”

Chichester Harbour Booomerang Effect

There is a real Chichester Harbour boomerang effect whereby anyone who grew up sailing in West Sussex and subsequently moved to London for work, eventually feels the pull back to the area once they have children of their own and want to introduce them to the joys of sailing.

It is an innocent, healthy pastime seen by many parents as an excellent antidote to the electronic gadgets consuming children’s time. Not only that but it is only as competitive as you want it to be. Many families are content with participating in the odd club race and the ever popular summer holiday Junior Regatta weeks such as Itchenor Fortnight and Bosham Junior Week, whereas others can use the club racing to launch them on to the national and international sailing circuits as highlighted earlier.

The Buoyant Waterside Property Market

Sailing is no doubt a factor in the buoyant waterside property market where houses for sale can command prices per square foot as high as many a London borough.

Properties can change hands with higher frequency than in other parts of Sussex as South West London residents initially purchase a smaller holiday home in one of the many desirable Chichester sailing villages like Bosham and Itchenor, then later realise that they want this unique lifestyle on a more permanent basis.

Lured by the availability of excellent schools and the opportunity for superb weekend sailing combined with lazy days at the beach, at this point families are looking to trade in their London town house for some of the best houses for sale around Chichester Harbour, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The varied waterside housing stock ranges from thatched cottages to Georgian manor houses to modern apartments.

Families frequently decide to rent a property around Chichester Harbour whilst waiting for the right house to come to the market – or in order to get to know the area and decide where they should best purchase. Alternatively, some families will of course lease for the summer season to take advantage of the long school holidays and to be conveniently located for the sailing clubs’ junior regatta weeks.

A handful of houses do sell without coming to the open-market – and by renting and networking locally, prospective purchasers are well placed to be first past the post.

Why You Need a Chichester Estate Agent with London Connections

Tod Anstee is an independent Chichester estate agent with a unique understanding of the importance of the London market for property sales in the area. Directors John Anstee and Sam Tod both worked in leading national estate agents in London. It is this understanding of the hearts and minds of the London buyer looking for the sailing lifestyle which makes Tod Anstee an excellent choice of estate agent if you are looking to sell your home in the Chichester sailing hubs of Bosham, Emsworth, Itchenor and The Witterings.

We have an excellent track record of selling properties in these areas and would welcome the opportunity to discuss your home’s sales potential.