FOREIGN housebuyers attracted to Sussex’s “great” schools and young urban professionals are giving the county’s high-end property market a boost, estate agents are reporting.

People from countries as diverse as Singapore, Australia and Spain are choosing Sussex to buy properties in the £1 million-plus market, according to Avin Jay, the director of Uckfield estate agent Mansell McTaggart.

The news comes as The Argus publishes its Prestige property magazine showcasing the best homes in Sussex.

Mr Jay said: “The high end market, which is houses over £1 million, is very buoyant, particularly with people from overseas and people migrating back from London as a lifestyle move.

“They are choosing Sussex because of its great schools and because they think it’s a great environment, with its countryside, the communications and transport links.

“They get more for their money. Sussex has got everything – and especially its villages that have all the amenities.”

This month The Argus reported that a seven-bedroom house in the village of Lurgashall went on sale for £19.5 million, while among the properties on Mansell McTaggart’s website is a five-bedroom detached country home at Waldron for £1,295,000.

Rennick Nelson, senior negotiator/associate at Chatt Estates in Ditchling, said the property market in Sussex is “nice and busy”.

He said: “We are seeing plenty of houses coming on the market, ranging from £500,000 to £700,000 right up to country estates in the £3 million to £4 million bracket, with people from London and Brighton looking to escape the city.”

In the Brighton area, a series of penthouse apartments has gone on the market ranging in price from £575,000 to £1.1 million.

They are attracting young professionals and downsizers, according to Sara Van Loock, new homes sales manager at estate agent Mishon Mackay.

“A penthouse really is the ultimate apartment to enjoy the city,” she said.

“The property market is certainly looking more optimistic and this year has seen a return of the young professional, they have quite a lot of money to spend.”

Mishon Mackay currently has penthouse properties on Hove seafront, another overlooking Sussex County Cricket Ground in Hove, two in Montefiore Road in Hove that have a “young alternative vibe” and another in Rottingdean with a roof terrace and sea views that will be ready for occupation next year.

Andy Lees, residential partner at Brighton-based estate agent Graves Son and Pilcher, has detected an increase in activity in the Brighton property market in recent weeks.

He said: “People are looking to move to Brighton from London and we continue to get foreign interest to invest here.”