The small market towns and the picture postcard villages in rolling countryside make owning a latest luxury home in East Sussex something further special. With its great road and rail links to the coast and to London, easy access to Gatwick airport and first-class schools, East Sussex is a well-liked destination for families looking for something special. Described as ‘the cream of the crop’ by developers Ward Homes, Ashdown Place enjoys a stunning spot in the village of Five Ash Down, just outside the market town of Uckfield. These traditionally designed and built new homes comprise the luxury five-bedroom ‘Crowborough’, a separate home over three floors. The large kitchen/breakfast room lies at the heart of this family home, and is fitted to the highest standards, with open views of the rear garden and separate utility room. A formal dining room and large lounge make this the wonderful home for entertaining. Five bedrooms are set over two floors, with two en suites, a family bathroom and further shower room.

Mayfield Grange, Mayfield, lies in the heart of the county, just fifteen minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells, with fast road and rail links to London. Weston Homes has completely refurbished the 19th-century Great Hall at Mayfield Grange, creating a series of superb new homes set in 20 acres of grounds. Plot 5 is a two-bedroom, first-floor fully furnished show home, priced at £545,000. This unique luxury home comprises 20-feet master bedroom, with en suite and 22-foot second bedroom, both with en suite bathrooms featuring Roca sanitaryware and solid-oak cupboards. Across the hallway, a 600-sq-ft living room leads to a fitted kitchen including a full range of Smeg appliances, stone work surfaces and under-pelmet lighting for that extra luxury feel.
Berkeley Homes is offering luxury by the sea at its All Saints development. Another stunning refurbishment of an historic building set in manicured lawns and gardens, All Saints sits close to parkland leading to Beachy Head and near to the beaches and facilities of the thriving town of Eastbourne. A limited number of two-bedroom apartments are available with prices ranging from £275,000 to £375,000.

Plot 14 is a luxury apartment set over two floors. Accommodation includes an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, large bathroom and upper floor master bedroom with en suite and study. Finished to the highest standards, and close to all amenities, All Saints makes the perfect home by the sea, or retirement home for those seeking to downsize, with a full concierge service, including laundry, taxi and chauffeur services, reading room and residents’ gym.

There is just one home left for sale at Emett Gardens in the sought-after village of Ditchling. Hillreed Homes is presenting a rare opportunity to purchase a high-specification new-build home in this charming location. There are just three homes at Emett Gardens and the remaining five-bedroom detached property, the ‘Bromley’, exemplifies the attention to detail and uncompromising standards that have been applied at the development. The £1.2 million price tag secures a superbly designed, spacious home with ample reception rooms, two en suite bedrooms, an integral double garage and a large, secluded plot.

Crowborough is a busy market town with prosperous town centre, high street and regular farmers’ market. Two golf clubs and good local schooling and amenities make this a highly attractive area that is less than one hour by train from central London. Antler Homes is offering luxury living at Milne Square, Crowborough Hill, with prices from £417,950. Quality finishes are the hallmark of the ‘Hatch’ four-bedroom detached house at Milne Square, which benefits from spacious rooms and offers a wow factor in the shape of a spectacular vaulted ceiling lantern in the open-plan kitchen/family area.

A large living room leads onto a good-size rear garden and a separate study and downstairs cloakroom add to the feeling of space. Four bedrooms are set over the first floor, and include two en suites, a family bathroom and built in wardrobes. Alongside the house, which is priced at £525,000, is a double garage with private drive way offering parking for two additional cars.

Existing home sales in July improved appreciably on a year-over-year basis, said the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in a report released last week.
According to the NAR, the total number existing-home sales in July (4.67 million) did turn down a little (3.5 percent) month-over-month, but, despite this decrease, this total is a full 21 percent higher than the 3.86 million mark seen one year earlier in July 2010.

July 2010 represented a cyclical low, the NAR said, as it followed the expiration of government sponsored home buyer tax credits. A separate report from the NAR noted the current near record levels of housing affordability, which could also be contributing to the year over year gains.

According to the NAR, the national home median price for all housing types fell to $174,000 in July, which is reduce of 4.4 percent from one year earlier.

But NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun talk about those tight lending standards from banks could be one factor that is still holding back some potential buyers.

“Affordability conditions this year have been the most encouraging on record dating back to 1970, but many buyers are being held back because banks are offering financing to only the most extremely qualified borrowers, ignoring a large share of otherwise creditworthy buyers,” Yun said in a statement.

Mortgage rates rose slightly this week after getting a low point not seen in half a century the week before.

“Those potential buyers represent the difference between an uneven recovery and a much more robust housing market that could excite additional economic activity and create jobs,” Yun said.