Almost half of parents are sacrificing their dream home and in many cases overstretching their finances to secure an address within the catchment of a desirable school, new research shows.
A survey of nearly 5,000 buyers by Yopa found that 31% of parents moved house specifically to qualify for their chosen school, with competition so fierce that 21% rented locally while waiting for a property to come to market.
Rising demand is inflating prices with 25% admitting paying above asking price, with almost half of those forced to stretch 5–10% higher; 9% paid up to 20% more, while 5% went beyond that.
The financial strain is acute: 38% borrowed beyond their means, typically by taking on larger mortgages than they had planned. Others relied on family support or external finance.
SELLER INCENTIVES
Parents are also planning years in advance. 13% moved into their chosen area at the birth of their child, while 39% relocated at least a year before applying for primary school. One in ten admitted resorting to unusual tactics, including offering sellers gifts, incentives or personal letters to sway decisions.
Despite the sacrifices, 84% secured a place at their preferred school. But 46% said they had to compromise on their dream home, whether in size, style, location or outdoor space. 68% reported significant stress for their family during the process.
SIGNIFICANT SACRIFICES
Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa, says: “School catchment areas remain one of the most influential factors for family buyers entering the market, and as our research shows, many parents are prepared to make significant sacrifices to secure a place for their child at their school of choice.
“Whether it’s paying above the odds, overstretching financially, or compromising on the dream home, education consistently takes priority.
“We’re also seeing parents plan further ahead than ever before, in some cases moving years in advance, which only adds to the pressure and competition in these highly desirable pockets of the market.
“It underlines just how much weight education carries in the decision-making process and why properties in sought-after catchments continue to command such strong demand.”
