A property expert has pinpointed the five areas of the North West most likely to see house price rises.
House Buy Fast founder Jonathan Rolande believes the North West is in a stronger position than many other parts of the country.
Halifax puts annual house price growth in the region at 2.9%, while Zoopla places it at 3.3% and describes the North West as the strongest-performing region in Great Britain.
Jonathan said: “I think the North West is in a good position this spring because buyers can still see value there. Mortgage rates have eased a little, confidence is better than it was towards the end of last year, and people are starting to move again.”
“If you treat the UK market as one single story, you miss what is happening locally. Some areas are still sluggish, particularly where prices are already high, but the North West has strong city markets, solid commuter towns and places where buyers can still get decent space without overstretching themselves.”
Below, Jonathan sets out the five North West hotspots he believes are best placed for a strong spring and early summer.
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1. Liverpool
“Liverpool would be top of my list because it already has visible momentum behind it. Prices there are up 9.5% on the official figures, and Zoopla also has the city moving in the right direction, with values up 4.0% year on year and the average home at around £167,000. For a major UK city, that is still a very approachable price point. What makes Liverpool especially interesting is that it does not depend on one narrow buyer group. It has owner-occupiers, landlords, first-time buyers and movers all active in the same market. When a city has that kind of depth, it usually has a better chance of carrying momentum into spring.” | vichie81 - stock.adobe.com Photo: vichie81 - stock.adobe.com
2. Oldham
“Oldham is on the list for a different reason. This is the kind of market buyers turn to when they want Greater Manchester access without Greater Manchester pricing. With prices up 8.4% over the year, demand is clearly showing up in the numbers. I think Oldham benefits from a very simple calculation. A buyer looks at what their money buys there compared with more expensive parts of the conurbation, and the answer is often a lot more space for a lot less strain. That makes it a very natural target in a market where people are still watching every pound.” | SakhanPhotography - stock.adobe.com Photo: SakhanPhotography - stock.adobe.com
3. Rossendale
“Rossendale feels like one of those places buyers start to notice when they become less interested in postcode prestige and more interested in how they actually want to live. The 7.8% annual rise fits with what you would expect from an area offering more space and a different pace. This is the sort of market that can do well when families and second-steppers start looking beyond the obvious urban centres. It is not trying to be Liverpool or Manchester. Its appeal is different. Buyers can see the value in getting more room around them without feeling cut off.” | Google
4. Rochdale
“Rochdale makes sense to me because it feels like a very grounded market. A 6.7% annual rise is a healthy figure, but what really stands out is the type of demand behind it. A lot of buyers looking there are trying to make a sensible move that works on price, transport and everyday practicality. That usually gives a market a more solid base. When people are buying because the place genuinely suits their budget and routine, rather than because it is fashionable for five minutes, you often get steadier demand and better staying power.” | davesdisco - stock.adobe.com Photo: davesdisco - stock.adobe.com