Parents Prioritise School Over Dream Homes
- Sarah Ruivivar
- Sep 9
- 2 min read
As the school bell rings and children head back to class, many UK parents are making significant sacrifices to secure their child's education.
A recent Yopa survey of nearly 5,000 homebuyers reveals that almost half of parental homebuyers are prioritising school catchment areas over their dream homes, often stretching their finances to the limit.
A staggering 31% of parents have moved specifically to be within their desired school catchment. The demand is so high that 78% found the process challenging, with 32% describing it as extremely difficult due to limited options and fierce competition. To cope, 21% of parents opted to rent while waiting for the perfect property to become available.
The competition is fierce, with 25% of parents admitting they paid above the asking price. Nearly half of these paid between 5% and 10% extra, while some went as high as 20% or more. To make this possible, 38% of parents borrowed beyond their means, often relying on larger mortgages or financial help from family.
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Planning ahead is key, with 13% moving at their child's birth and 39% relocating at least a year before primary school applications. Some parents even resorted to offering sellers gifts or personal letters to gain an edge.
Despite the sacrifices, 84% of parents successfully secured a place at their chosen school. However, 46% had to compromise on their dream home, and 68% experienced significant stress.
Yopa's CEO, Verona Frankish, highlights the immense influence of school catchment areas on family buyers, emphasising that education consistently takes precedence over finding the perfect home. In the world of property, it seems education truly is priceless!
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