New data has revealed the parts of the country where house prices have boomed over the last 12 months.
The research by property website Rightmove showed that May 2025 recorded more sales than at any time since March 2022.
While May is traditionally a busy month for agreed sales, the data suggests that there has also been a more profound positive shift in the housing market. Across the UK as a whole, the figures showed a 6% rise on the same period last year – although this was subject to noticeable regional variations, with Wales recording 15% growth compared to London at 1%.
According to property expert Colleen Babcock, areas that are doing well reflect buyers’ hunger for both value and affordability. Nine of the Top 10 property hotspots had an average price lower than the national average.
Mortgage rates have gone up substantially in recent years, which means that anyone buying a home or remortgaging faces higher costs. Given that mortgage rates still remain higher than the period following the financial crisis, buyers are now instead looking for value. Sellers are being urged to be aware of stiff competition from a high number of other sellers in the market competing for a buyer in their area.
People who are investment planning in Cheshire can sometimes look to properties. Wilmslow, for example, is one town that has experienced a surge in house buying, with a 66% increase in sales activity compared to May 2024. Properties in the town now have an average asking price of £569,694.
