Britain’s housing market might be cooling but some areas are still seeing strong house price growth, according to research by eXp UK.
The independent estate agent platform analysed Land Registry data showing house prices in Britain are down 0.3% month on month. The figures also showed that the market has been cooling for a while, with the latest drop preceded by two months of stunted growth, during which prices rose by just 0.7% and then 0.2%
Therefore, according to this this latest government data, the average rate of house price growth over the last three months has been just 0.2%.
In some areas, the price drops have been far more significant during this period. The worst hit market has been Hammersmith & Fulham, London, where prices have fallen by 2.7% on average over the last three months. Kensington & Chelsea fared slightly better with a three-month average drop of 1.9%, while the worst hit market outside of London has been the City of Aberdeen, where prices have declined by 1.8%.
Also among the areas to have experienced price drops are the City of Westminster (-1.6%), South Lakeland (-1.6%), Three Rivers (-1.3%), North East Derbyshire (-1.1%), Bassetlaw (-1%) and Exeter (-1%).
However, there are a number of British locations where house prices continue to go from strength to strength – none more so than the City of London where, after facing hefty challenges during the pandemic, they’ve increased by an average of 4.4% over the past three months, including a 10.5% rise in the past month alone.
In Malvern Hills, close to Worcester, prices have gone up by 3.1%, while in Crawley, West Sussex, they’re up 2.9%. Positive growth has also been recorded in Stevenage (+2.7%), Mid Suffolk (+2.7%), Harborough (+2.6%), Mendip (+2.5%), Amber Valley (+2.5%), Calderdale (+2.4%), East Lothian (+2.2%), Oldham (+2.2%), Herefordshire (+2.2%), Barrow-in-Furness (+2.1%), Richmondshire (+2.1%) and Lichfield (+2.1%).
Adam Day, head of Head of eXp UK, commented: “As is always the case with these things, the topline stats don’t tell the full story when it comes to the health of the property market. So, while the national average house price might be in decline, it’s important to note that there are many regional markets that are actually in very good health and where prices continue to rise.
“There is still a lot of success to be had with selling homes in this country, and we don’t see that changing any time soon. If you’re lucky to be in an area of growth right now, don’t let outside concerns thwart the opportunities in front of you.”
