Property in East Kent still represents “exceptionally good value for money,” according to a report by Strutt & Parker.

Prices in the area are still lower than in most other parts of the South East despite the fact that the area has a high quality of life.

Recent times have shown that Londoners, in particular, are gradually becoming aware of this fact. Simon Backhouse, of the agent’s Canterbury office, reports that many of the properties sold by the firm so far this year have gone to people relocating from the capital.

“Although rail connections are not as good as they might be, many commuters are accepting longer journeys to and from work as the trade-off for the reasonable house prices they can find in East Kent and the enviable quality of life.”

Although the property market is buoyant, there is a problem with a severe lack of supply. Too few homes are coming onto the market - the number of properties on Strutt & Parker’s books is down by 30 per cent over the 2001 total.

This has kept prices steady and some buyers are pushing prices higher by competitive bidding. Mr Backhouse reports that the gazump has started to put in a re-appearance.

When houses do sell, they move quickly; the average time is six to eight weeks. There is usually a four to six week gap between a property being launched onto the market and contracts being exchanged and then completion takes a further four weeks.

Mr Backhouse said: “With low interest rates and investors seeing their property more as an asset along with their stocks and shares, the rest of 2002 will see the property market in East Kent holding up well. The best quality homes will attract very considerable interest and are likely to exceed their guide prices.”