Investing in new builds: is Surrey, Sussex or Kent best?

According to data from Rightmove’s Rental Trends Tracker, the UK property investment space is demonstrating strong performance. In 2026, Rightmove expects rents to ‘tick upwards’ while, with generally low supply, there’s considerable opportunity for investors to meet high tenant demand. 

At the same time, now is also a great time to invest for homeowners, especially in the South East, where average house price growth is well above the national average. This bodes well for long-term returns in the coming years.

At Brookworth Homes, we’ve seen high demand for our luxury new build properties across the South East but, with so many locations to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to invest: Surrey, Sussex or Kent?

Surrey: strong demand from commuters and country escapees

Long recognised as a key commuter belt for the capital, Surrey has experienced decades of continued investment into strong transport links by road or rail. In a new economic growth report from Surrey County Council, it’s estimated that 42% of Surrey workers commute out of the county.

This makes Surrey a hub for property and new build investment, which only intensifies as more people adopt a fully remote or hybrid way of working. With more flexibility in where they work, more people are moving from bigger cities to Surrey’s gorgeous towns and villages. This leads to Surrey house prices performing significantly above the national average.

An emerging centre for green homes and businesses

With extensive green space and over 2,000 miles of public paths, it’s perhaps no surprise that Surrey has established itself in sustainability. Business investment is increasingly focused on green businesses and, at Brookworth, we’re seeing continued demand for green homes.

Designed to be sustainable, green homes prioritise energy efficiency, reducing both your carbon emissions and household bills. This sensibility runs through every one of our developments, with key eco-friendly features including high-quality beaded insulation and A+++ rated air source heat pumps.

Key property investment areas in Surrey

A picturesque village with the ideal blend of rural charm and useful amenities, Felbridge is home to sprawling lakes, a busy show ground and a beloved nature reserve. Crucially, Felbridge offers country living at its most convenient, just 15 minutes from Gatwick Airport and a few miles from East Grinstead for trains to London in less than an hour.

Another emerging investment hotspot is the village of Lingfield, where you’ll find Tudor period architecture alongside more contemporary family homes. Once an agricultural centre for the county, Lingfield’s direct trains to London make it a strong option for investment with high commuter demand.

Sussex: a sound investment for high-end property

With average rental yields of 3-45%, Sussex is a notably resilient market with high demand. However, high house prices across the region mean that choosing the right location is essential. This is something we’ve seen at Brookworth Homes, where we’ve carefully selected the most coveted parts of East Sussex and West Sussex for our most recent developments.

Large urban centres like Brighton and Crawley have limited potential for capital growth due to high property prices, but this in turn creates an especially strong rental market. The allure of life by the sea is a strong one, working alongside the economic opportunity that only a large city can offer to drive demand.

A focus area for Brookworth Homes

From a robust road and rail infrastructure to amenities like the South Downs National Park and a choice of prestigious primary and secondary schools, Sussex has a lot to offer. That’s why we’ve continued to invest in the region over the past 12 months, in Brighton and beyond.

Across the region, you’ll find a choice of Brookworth developments, each with their own character and feel. Highlights include Warren Grove in Crowborough, the timeless elegance of The Vale at Burgess Hill and two significant developments for 2026: Maresfield Heights and Conquerors Gate in Battle. These developments are all testament to our confidence in the quality of Sussex for luxury property investment.

Key property investment areas in Sussex

Going beyond the busy urban centres, Sussex includes several seaside towns where investment potential is strong.

Between Brighton and Chichester, Worthing benefits from millions of pounds of recent economic development, including amenities like a new health centre and medical centre. Although these recent investments have influenced an increase in property prices, homes are more affordable than nearby Brighton, creating a thriving market with room to grow in the future.

Further along the coast, you’ll find Bexhill-on-Sea: an historic town that originally emerged around a sprawling manor. Today, Bexhill-on-Sea offers all the essentials of everyday life, including highly rated schools, a choice of pubs and restaurants, and even an increasingly unusual post office! All supported by convenient rail links from nearby Bexhill.

Kent: the garden of England, now the gateway of England

Since the days of Henry VII, Kent has been adored for its agricultural excellence, green space and ancient woodland. But while Kent is perhaps best known for its countryside, it’s also one of the most well-connected parts of the country, driving property prices and investment yields up.

Across the county, you’ll find regular high speed rail services, excellent road connections including the M2 and M25 access and international travel via the Channel Tunnel and Eurostar. This infrastructure supports thriving communities in the cities surrounding major stations, as well as the welcoming towns and villages further afield.

A stable investment, especially in the rental market

Kent includes some areas with notably high property prices, including Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells. This drives an especially strong rental market, with average rents exceeding the national average and neighbouring counties.

This is supported by a wider economic boom, including investment from science parks, business hubs and logistics firms. Kent’s unique access to the national road infrastructure, the Port of Dover and the tunnel all lead to an economy that’s resilient and a property market that’s robust and reliable.

Key property investment areas in Kent

Home to Gallica, our charming collection of luxury new build homes, Sissinghurst is strategically located between Ashford (for high-speed rail connections) and Tunbridge Wells. The village benefits from high demand from families, inside the catchment area for the prestigious Cranbrook School, as well as downsizers looking for a more relaxed, rural way of life.

For a busier, more urban investment, Dartford offers 4.3% average rental yields, supported by the town’s location on the cusp of the capital. The Dartford Tunnel provides a fast crossing over the Thames, ideal for commuters into Essex or London. Furthering Dartford’s investment potential, the surrounding area is also home to landmark residential developments, including Ebbsfleet Garden City, a new build town.

Brookworth Homes: an investment that makes sense

At Brookworth Homes, we’re best known for our unmatched commitment to quality. But The Brookworth Difference is also there in the way we choose our locations: places with high demand from homeowners and renters alike, in communities that will only thrive over time.

Whether you’re looking for a busy urban location or the perfect escape to nature, Kent, Sussex and Surrey are notable because of their breadth and diversity. There’s something for every taste, preference, stage of life and investment appetite.

Explore our developments in Kent, Surrey and Sussex or get in touch with our experienced sales teams for more help.