Why are terraced houses beating flats in BN11 right now?

Two homes on the same BN11 street, a few doors apart, can be having completely different years. A few sellers have asked me why lately, so here's the honest answer.

As a Worthing estate agent working the BN11 patch day in, day out, I see this split up close. Here's what's actually happening, and what it means depending on what you own or want to buy.

What is happening in the BN11 property market?

The Bank of England base rate is currently 3.75%. Nationally, house prices are up 1.8% year on year. But in BN11, from the shops around Liverpool Gardens to the quieter stretch of Mill Road, that national figure hides a real split between property types.

Key facts, BN11 (current)

• Average detached house price: £611,750
• Average semi-detached house price: £450,046
• Average terraced house price: £342,851
• Average flat price: £210,181
• Homes currently for sale in BN11: 467
• UK inflation: 3.1%

The gap between a semi and a detached home in BN11 is now over £160,000. That's not a small step up, it's a different market entirely.

How have BN11 house prices changed over the past seven years?

This is the part worth sitting with. Over the last seven years:

• Semi-detached homes in BN11 are worth £13,143 less on average than they were then.
• Flats are worth £8,574 less.
• Across all property types combined, BN11 prices have grown by just £30 in seven years.
• Over the same period, earnings have grown by 4%.

Wages have gone up. Property values, on average, have not moved. That's the story most sellers in BN11 aren't hearing from their agent.

Why are flats losing value while detached homes hold their price?

It comes down to who's buying each type of home, and how exposed they are to the cost of borrowing.

Detached homes have held up best, down just 1.1% over seven years. Buyers at this level tend to have bigger deposits and more cash flexibility, so a higher base rate matters less to them.

Flats have taken the biggest hit, down 3.9% over the same period. First-time buyers, who make up most of the flat market, are the group most squeezed by higher mortgage rates.

With 467 homes on the market in BN11 right now and buyers able to take their time, this is a buyer's market. Presentation and pricing matter more than they have in years.

What should you do if you're selling in BN11?

If you own a detached home: don't panic at a quiet market. Detached homes in BN11 are in shorter supply and buyers with the budget for one aren't as rate-sensitive. Quality still gets noticed, even when the wider market is slow.

If you own a flat: you're competing for a smaller pool of nervous, price-sensitive buyers. Presentation has to do more work. A flat that looks ready to move into, well lit, decluttered, priced honestly from day one, will sell faster than one waiting to be “discovered.” See how I work with sellers.

Is now a good time to buy your first home in BN11?

If you're a first-time buyer, this is worth paying attention to. Flat prices in BN11 are lower today than they were seven years ago, while wages have kept rising. That's not a headline you hear often in Worthing. It means more room to negotiate than your parents had when they bought. Thinking about buying?

What's next for BN11?

I'd put my money on terraced houses around streets like Farncombe Road leading the way over the next year. They sit in the middle: room for a family, a garden, and a price that doesn't jump into detached territory. Right sized, right priced, and increasingly what buyers in this market actually want.

If you're weighing up whether to sell now or wait, or want an honest figure based on what's actually selling in BN11 right now, I'm easy to reach: 07440 782352.

Quick answers: BN11 house prices

What is the average house price in BN11, Worthing?

It depends on property type. Detached homes average £611,750, semi-detached £450,046, terraced houses £342,851, and flats £210,181.

Are house prices in Worthing going up or down?

Nationally, prices are up 1.8%. In BN11 specifically, growth has been almost flat over the past seven years, with flats and semis down in value and detached homes holding steadier.

Is now a good time to buy a flat in Worthing?

For first-time buyers, current BN11 flat prices are lower than they were seven years ago while wages have risen, which gives buyers more negotiating room than usual.

Which type of home is performing best in BN11 right now?

Detached homes have held their value most closely, down just 1.1% over seven years, while terraced houses are expected to see the strongest demand over the next year.