Downsizing in Arundel: What You Would Actually Release
Selling at the £525,000 Arundel average and buying at £367,500 releases about £138,550 after costs. Fees, stamp duty and moving take roughly £18,950 of it.
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Selling at the £525,000 Arundel average and buying at £367,500 releases about £138,550 after costs. Fees, stamp duty and moving take roughly £18,950 of it.
Running the downsizing numbers in Arundel
Start with the gap. Selling at £525,000 and buying at 70% of that, £367,500, leaves £157,500 before costs. Costs are the part people underestimate.
Agent fees at 1.5% are £7,875. Stamp duty on the purchase is £8,375. Total £18,950, leaving £138,550 in hand.
Where the sale proceeds go
The commercial page for this town sets out the introduction itself: Equity release in Arundel.
Downsizing against releasing equity
A lifetime mortgage at 65 on the same property would release about £178,500. Downsizing nets £138,550. The difference is that downsizing costs you the house, and equity release costs you the estate.
Over twenty years that £178,500 release grows to roughly £628,971. The downsizing figure does not grow at all, because there is no debt.
Bands, stock and timing
Council tax follows the property, not the person. Band D in West Sussex is £2,520, and a smaller home may sit in a lower band. Check the band before you offer, not after.
Downsizing works best when you are not in a hurry.
What a move within Arundel looks like
The schools families ask about here are Arundel & area primary schools, St Philip Howard Catholic School (Barnham), Secondaries around Littlehampton & Chichester and Independent schools (Chichester & area). 1 local school was rated Good or Outstanding overall at its most recent graded Ofsted inspection. Ratings age between inspections, so read the latest report before you rely on one.
On getting about: Arundel to London Victoria takes about 1h30.
By price, Arundel ranks 6 of the 33 West Sussex locations we cover, at £525,000 against a county average of £486,515. Band D council tax here is £2,520, against an average of £2,488 across the towns we cover in the county.
Moving within West Sussex rather than out of it keeps you near family and known services. The average price across the county towns we cover is £486,515, against £525,000 here.
Is Arundel right to stay in?
Arundel is a historic, sought-after South Downs market town.
The full local guide covers schools, transport and the market in detail: Arundel property and area guide.
- A beautiful, historic South Downs town
- Arundel Castle, the cathedral & the River Arun
- Its own station (direct to London Victoria)
- The South Downs National Park on the doorstep
- A characterful High Street & antiques
- Prices above the national average, with low supply
- A small town, limited stock, so be ready to move
- A tidal River Arun flood-risk consideration near the water
- The nearby A27 is well known for congestion
- Period/listed homes need careful survey & checks
| Who it suits | Out of five | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Downsizers | ★★★★★ | A characterful town with amenities, its own station and days out on the doorstep, a lovely place to downsize into a cottage or town house. |
| Second-home buyers | ★★★★★ | A beautiful, historic South Downs town with the castle, cathedral and coast nearby, strong second-home and holiday-let appeal (mind the surcharge). |
| Families | ★★★★☆ | Town amenities, a strong community and the outdoors close by; secondaries are mostly in the surrounding area (Barnham, Littlehampton, Chichester), so check catchment. |
| Commuters | ★★★☆☆ | Its own station gives a direct but longer (~1h30) run to London Victoria; better suited to Chichester, Worthing and Brighton commuters, mindful of A27 traffic. |
| First-time buyers | ★★☆☆☆ | Above-average prices and low supply make it a tough entry point, flats and smaller cottages are the realistic way in. |
Arundel is known locally for Arundel Castle & the Duke of Norfolk, and Arundel Castle. The great restored castle towering over the town, the seat of the Howard Dukes of Norfolk, the Earl Marshal of England and the country's premier duke, with its celebrated gardens; the glory of Arundel.
Practical detail for Arundel: the BN18 postcode district, Arundel station, direct to London Victoria (via Horsham & Gatwick); south to Barnham/Chichester/Portsmouth and nearest A and E is St Richard's, Chichester (~11mi) or Worthing (~10mi), verify with NHS.
Arundel has history behind the price. In 11th century, A castle is founded at Arundel after the Norman Conquest, guarding the gap in the Downs where the Arun runs.
Arundel at a glance
| Downsizing line | Arundel figure |
|---|---|
| Sale price, local average | £525,000 |
| Purchase at 70% of value | £367,500 |
| Estate agent at 1.5% | £7,875 |
| Stamp duty on purchase | £8,375 |
| Legal and moving | £2,700 |
| Total costs | £18,950 |
| Net released | £138,550 |
| Lifetime mortgage alternative at 65 | £178,500 |
Figures are local averages used for illustration. Confirm your own numbers before acting on them.
Ask about Arundel
Three details is all we need. You are told before anything is passed to a partner firm.
Your checklist
- A real valuation of your home, not the £525,000 average
- The council tax band of the property you are buying
- Total moving costs of about £18,950
- The equity release comparison, in writing, before you decide
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Check broadband before you make an offer in Arundel
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Arundel, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
We can introduce you to a specialist who can combine your mobile, broadband and utilities into one bill. There's no fee for the introduction.
We don't provide these services ourselves. Switching household bills is not a regulated financial service, so FCA protections and the Financial Ombudsman do not apply. We'll only pass your details to the specialist if you ask us to. See our privacy notice.
Questions people ask
How much would I release by downsizing in Arundel?
Is downsizing better than equity release?
What are the costs of moving?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Arundel?
Read next
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.