Shared Ownership Valuation in Godalming

Shared ownership valuations are not the same as standard mortgage valuations, as they involve specific calculations for the full market value of the property and the value of the equity share being bought or staircased. Across Godalming, our surveyors value shared ownership homes of all kinds, from Victorian terrace houses in the town centre to modern flats in new developments. We work out the percentage share you already own and provide valuations for increasing that share, typically in 10% increments up to 75% or beyond.

In Godalming, the housing market has stayed fairly resilient. home.co.uk reports prices up 3% on the previous year, although recent data from Housemetric points to some movement in individual postcode sectors. In GU7 1, values were down 3% year on year, while GU7 2 fell 2.3%. That kind of variation matters, so we track local trends closely and adjust our valuation approach to reflect current conditions accurately.

All of our valuations are prepared in line with RICS standards and are accepted by major lenders and housing associations active locally, including Southern Housing, Aster Group, and Thakeham. We also know the requirements attached to schemes linked to Waverley Borough Council's affordable housing initiatives, and we provide the paperwork your lender or housing association needs. If you are staircasing to full ownership or remortgaging your shared ownership home, our reports are produced to meet the relevant regulatory requirements.

• Staircasing assessments
• Remortgage valuations
• Resale valuations
• Help to Buy valuations
• Equity release assessments
• Independent expert determinations

Recent years have brought a good deal of new build activity to the Godalming area, and several sites include shared ownership homes. At Binscombe Gardens, Aster Group completed 17 modern 2 and 3-bedroom shared ownership homes on the edge of town. Over at Ockford Ridge, Thakeham provides 47 affordable homes across social rent, shared ownership, and rent-to-own, with some built to net zero carbon standards using pre-insulated frames, air source heat pumps, and solar panels.

Catteshall Road, Mill Lane, and Hatch Mill have also shaped the local shared ownership market. On Catteshall Road, there are 1 and 2-bedroom apartments from £250,000. Mill Lane includes 1-bedroom flats priced between £295,000 and £325,000, while Hatch Mill offers elegant 1-bedroom apartments within a Grade II listed mill conversion. Our surveyors have worked across these developments and understand the effect of new build premiums and modern construction methods on value.

The 69 High Street project, overseen by Waverley Borough Council, adds 13 affordable flats for rent at 70% of market value to Godalming's housing stock. Knowledge of schemes like this helps us build sound comparative evidence for shared ownership valuations across the wider GU7 postcode area.

We regularly spot certain defects when carrying out shared ownership valuations in Godalming. Because the town has both historic buildings and more recent construction, the issues can range from dampness in older timber-framed properties to structural concerns in homes built on clay-rich soils. Dampness is especially common in older stock, often linked to poor ventilation, failed damp-proof courses, or salt contamination in older wall materials. We look at these points carefully because they can have a clear impact on value.

Structural movement is another issue we watch for in Godalming, especially in homes standing on the Weald Clay Formation areas of the Peasmarsh River Valley Floor. Clay soils are prone to shrink-swell subsidence, expanding in wet weather and contracting in dry spells. During inspection, our surveyors check foundations, look for cracks around windows and doors, and note any sign of earlier remedial work that could influence the valuation.

Roof defects and drainage problems come up often too, particularly in period buildings on the High Street and Church Street. Loose tiles, worn flat roofs, and faulty gutters can all allow water ingress and lead to damage inside. Poor drainage around foundations can also create water pressure that contributes to structural trouble. We record any such defects in detail and reflect their effect in the final valuation.

Standard property factors are only part of the picture in Godalming. The local geology can matter just as much. Clay-rich soils, especially in the Peasmarsh River Valley Floor, may contribute to shrink-swell subsidence, so our surveyors pay close attention to foundations and any sign of movement, particularly in older buildings on clay substrates. In the Shackleford Open Greensand Hills area, the drift geology includes clay, silt, sand, and gravel, which can also influence ground stability.

Flood risk needs careful attention as well. Central Godalming, including Meadrow and Catteshall Road, has seen major flooding in 1968, 1990, 2000, 2013, and 2020, with the 2013 event causing serious damage in the town centre. The Godalming Flood Alleviation Scheme, completed in 2019, introduced a 525-meter flood wall and two pumping stations, which provide mitigation, but homes in Flood Zones 2 and 3 still need extra consideration during valuation. In lower-lying parts, surface water and sewer flooding remain relevant too.

Conservation area properties bring another layer of complexity. In the Godalming Town Centre Conservation Area and the Ockford Road Conservation Area, listed status and preservation controls can influence value. The town has 225 Grade II and II* listed buildings, along with two Grade I listed buildings, including the Church of St Peter and St Paul and Wyatt's Almshouses. Our surveyors take account of both the premium and the restrictions that can apply to period homes in these settings.

• Property condition and age
• Flood risk zone classification
• Conservation area restrictions
• Leasehold terms and ground rent
• Recent comparable sales in GU7
• Energy efficiency rating
• Soil stability and subsidence risk