PROMOTION Education, Education, Education al property expert Julian Rich discusses the challenge of finding the right school and perfect home in Yorkshire With strong competition in the North Yorkshire property market, mach is being made of the factors that can inQuence the value of a property, such as the proximity to a sought after school. York, Harrogate and Ripon have always enjoyed a reputation of excellent education which has resulted Mount School in York,Queen Ethelburga's College and Ashville in Harrogate has seen average prices strengthen. In some cases this has resulted in houses changing hands without other buyers in the market even being in catchiment areas of good state and independent schools commandinga premium on property values, as compared to these criteria in the Yock, Harrogate and the overal The independent schooling chokce presents further challenges. With the cost difference between day pupils and boarders at some of the top independent schools locally reaching a limited stock of best of breed' homes fiting Ripon areas, it is easy to see how premiums nhe reached for peoperties so close and convenient to highly faveared schools. 4,000per term on topoftuitie fees, livi nearer so the school of choice could be a savvy move. Interestingly, over the period of a child's senior schooling, pazents who live Living close to a top perormingschool is aheays going to be an attractive proposition for family buyers, but at what cost? The debte between funding an independent educationoar region at around 6,000 per term for day or allocating moneyto barying a superior property in a good catchment area is frequent one for those able to consider either option. and with no clear answer Theright location With the cost of an independent education in within travelling distanceto the school could save in the region of 060000 on boarding tudents or E10,000+ersem for boarders the attraction of obtaininga place for your fees. Equatethat toan interest only mortgage in the current market with a rate of 1% and chikd/children in a top performing school isa this may be the equivalent to 300,000 f sensible choice for many borrowing, If the market then continues to rise at 3% average per annum, the overall difference in wealth could be considerable Pamily prioricies and needs have also been changing yearby year and the option od allowing children to travel to school with thele friends or other nearby parents has becomse even moee limportan; especiallyparents focussing their efforts to finda new For esample, villages with railway as parets try to juggle their increasingly home wathinthe catchment area. Finding stations on the Leeds to Yoek lise sach as demanding work commitments Haogate Grammar School or Ripon Grammar School are particularly reputable schools, alongside St Aidans School in Transpot links to schools have to be and Fulford School in York, thatsee accessible and can be a 'deal-breaker tor some en Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton, Upper make their own way to school but also for that ideal home can be notoeiously difficu expensive and stress inducing. Naturally Poppleton and Nether Poppleton will always remainpopular no just to allow children to The pooentialof multiple siblingsand many he school becomes more popular the schools now offering beeakfast clubs and extracurricular actinities outside of school hours, canactually result in frequent journeys to and from school, as children o o primary schools particularly ifyou are varying ages with separate interest's finishmoving to a new area or within your area and catchmene area can sometimes shrink ad there is often a trend showing increase in house prices. The same can be said even theen to meet their friends outside of school time withouat parents having to eagalong Competition for places at the best schools is have children that areabout to start their undenlably tough, and the dual pressure of getting your child settled and buying a new property can become both overwhelmingand expensive. Forthose family buyers looking Quite understandably parents that working can find this difficult to manage and in some cases have found the solution of schoos, some of which have day papil and to living close to a school can be an attractive bonding opions. High competicion for one. With less property foe sale and with such family homes around St Peters School and The be making plans and seeking the right ad York has several well regarded independent make a move prior to the start of the new academk year later in 2019, now is the time to Garrington are the leading professional property finders in Yorkshire, who negotiate and secure properties, acquire private residences, second homes or properties for rental or investment. To find out more contact Julian Rich: 01423 206055infogarrington.co.uk www.garringtonnortheast.co.uk