PROPERTIES are "flying off the shelves" as Redhill's housing market booms.
As a sign the town's "Deadhill" image is lifting, first-time buyers and property investors are snapping up places, pushing up house prices.
Experts say good transport links with central London as well as a "strong town centre" are making Redhill a destination for young professionals looking to escape the city limits.
In the heart of the town, 64 of 74 flats in the new 4 Queensway development have been sold since they were put on the market just four weeks ago.
Richard Forman, head of sales and marketing for building owners Delph Property Group, said: "Many of the buyers at 4 Queensway have been young professionals looking for a long-term place to settle or local investors targeting those who work in the capital but don't want to live there.
"The high demand is a sign of the fact that confidence is returning to the property market.
"Redhill's location within 30 minutes of London should make it ideally placed to benefit."
With the market flourishing in the town, estate agents report some properties are even selling at asking price.
Martin Billard, manager of Gascoigne-Pees Estate Agents in Reigate, said the strong transport links and High Street are helping Redhill to emerge from the shadow of neighbouring Reigate.
Mr Billard told the Mirror: "One applicant I had was selling in London and was not looking at Redhill. But they took rented accommodation in the town, realised the benefits and now they don't want to live anywhere else.
"Once people move to Redhill they don't look back."
He added: "Redhill is on the up. Some of our places are flying off the shelves."
But new interest in the town is creating a new problem – a property shortage, particularly for family houses.
Almost 300 houses are set to be built around the town – in the Watercolour estate, at Redhill Station and on the site of the former Liquid and Envy nightclub – which will supplement the market.
Maddey Bennett, who is moving to Redhill in a couple of weeks, said the town has a lot to offer.
She said: "I love the mall [The Belfry].
"Me and my partner were at the fair in town on the weekend and it was really nice."
The average cost of a home in the Reigate and Banstead borough is £362,620 – lower than the Surrey average but significantly higher than the South East and national averages. Some properties, such as those in 4 Queensway, are retailing at around £170,000.
But Richard Arris, divisional director at investment management firm Brewin Dolphin in Reigate, warned more properties need to be built to meet demand.
He added: "The problem had been finding the funding for houses, but that's been eased a bit and now it's a question of getting on and building."
Changing mortgage rates and the government's Help to Buy scheme are supporting first time buyers, while investors are starting to benefit from buy-to-let mortgages.
Chris Stamp from estate agents Cubitt & West in Redhill said: "The market is brilliant.
"We are having a whale of a time. It's getting better and better, we are having a very good year.
"We get a lot of London buyers coming down."
