Southampton Property Market and Real Estate Guide

(Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK)

Southampton is a popular alternative to staying in London and is within an easy commute owing to its motorway, rail and air connections with the UK capital. It sits on the coast and boasts a pleasant climate, as well as a high standard of living.

Southampton is thus a desirable place to buy or rent for locals and expats alike, yet has more expensive real estate as a result. Property here is, however, far less expensive than anywhere in London and good deals can be found.


One of the premiere areas to buy and rent in Southampton is at the marina, while the suburbs of Totton and Chilworth are also highly desirable and appeal to those with families.

Renting Serviced Apartments

There is something like 30,000 apartments in Southampton, a growing percentage of which are serviced. While it doesn't pay to go the serviced apartment route if you are only in town for a short time, if you plan on staying anywhere from a couple of weeks upwards, they present a more cost-effective option than staying in a hotel.

There are some fantastic serviced apartments in Southampton at the marina, such as in the Ocean Village complex. This is just a few minutes from the centre of the city and has a range of fully furnished studio and one- and two-bedroom places. These are among the most expensive in the city, but there are cheaper options towards the town and further north.

Going the estate agent route will usually mean a lease of not less than six months, although apartment owners may advertise for anything from a week's rental online.

Buying Apartments and Houses

There are around 100,000 houses and apartments in Southampton that range from luxury homes in the suburbs to buy-to-let studios in the city. Despite the extra building going on in Southampton, the demand for apartments and houses remains high, yet property here is good value considering the city's proximity with London and enviable Hampshire locale.

In addition, Southampton has a large university student population making buy-to-let properties popular. The best performing areas for these are in the likes of Portswood, Polygon, Basset, and Shirley. No restrictions are placed on foreigners buying apartments and houses in Southampton. There is a stamp duty for buyers, yet foreigners are exempt from capital gains tax.

Real Estate Agents

You can buy or rent houses and apartments without estate agents in the UK, but it pays to use one. Estate agents have to abide by laws and are registered, yet this is no guarantee of quality of service or property and you should spend time choosing one to suit your needs.

For peace of mind, it is often best to go with one of the national chains, although you can often pick up better deals and receive a tailored service through local Southampton realtors.

Some examples of Southampton estate agents:

Hampshire Homes
Address: 21 Carlton Place, Southampton, SO15 2DY, England, UK
Tel: +44 023 8023 3388
Website: www.hantshomes.co.uk
Hants Homes covers all of Southampton and surrounding towns with buying and letting options at low rates of commission.

Alexanders
Address: 343 Shirley Road, Shirley, Southampton, SO15 3JD, England, UK
Tel: +44 023 8070 4321
Website: www.alexhomes.co.uk
An independent estate agent in Southampton, Alexanders is a member of the Ombudsman Scheme for Estate Agents and has been trading in the city for years.

Pure Estate Agents
Address: 85 High Street, West End, Southampton, SO30 3DS, England, UK
Tel: +44 023 8046 6869
Email: info@pure365.co.uk
Website: www.pure365.co.uk
Providing an efficient service for the sale and rent of property in the Southampton area.