Estate agent HouseSimple has revealed 10 places where it says property prices are currently lower than average but will increase fastest over the next 10 years.
“With property prices in London reaching an extortionate high, investors are beginning to look to other areas of the country to dip into,” says a spokesperson for HouseSimple. “With the average UK home now valued at £204,674, and with house prices rising, buyers could potentially buy cheap in these up-and-coming areas and watch the value of their property rise quickly over time.”
Manchester
Average house price = £155,029
It’s a big city and prices rose 6% last year, but Manchester is still a lot cheaper for property than its southern counterparts.
“The BBC has relocated here and the Metrolink tram service has doubled in size,” says HouseSimple. “Plus, Wythenshawe Park is becoming a gigging hotspot for 50,000 music lovers.”
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Rotherham
Average house price - £136,880
This Yorkshire town is “a perfect example of a coal mining town being reinvented,” says HouseSimple. A £500 million investment has been made in the town over the past decade, with approximately 9,000 jobs created.
The town also has a new railway station and football stadium. Despite this it is still possible to pick up a terraced house for just £84,580.
Birmingham
Average house price = £159,436
The eventual arrival of the HS2 rail link is expected to boost property prices in the UK’s second largest city. The east side of the city has received a £6 million investment to create new homes.
“Harborne in particular is on the up; a student and graduate hub with lots of young professionals with disposable income,” according to HouseSimple.
Leicester
Average house price = £163,548
A major project to improve transport connections in and around this East Midlands city make it one to watch. Other factors likely to help include the football stadium, university, museums, galleries and newly opened King Richard III Visitor Centre.
Hythe, Kent
Average house price = £287,077
The combination of great views of the sea along with a train station that is only 52 minutes from St Pancras makes Hythe a hot contender for rising property prices.
HouseSimple says: “Some estate agents here are offering free golf club memberships with houses.”
Norwich
Average house price = £196,472
A combination of beautiful historic buildings with modern facilities is making this an increasingly popular city, especially with people wanting second homes. The city has recently been targeted by the East of England Development Agency for regeneration.
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Woking, Surrey
Average House Price = £404,489
A £50 million regeneration project is already underway here. Add that to the fact you are only 25 miles from central London, with both Heathrow and Gatwick airports easily accessible, and this town is clearly one to watch.
House prices have risen by 12% in a year.
Hove, East Sussex
Average House Price = £370,622
“Buzzing with young professionals this seaside town is a new leading property hotspot opposed to the usual Brighton. Beach front properties in Hove are on average 38% lower than in London, but still within commuting distance,” according to HouseSimple.
Ipswich
Average House Price = £179,936
A growing student population is expected to buy and rent here. On top of that the employment market is forecast to grow substantially and over 15,000 new homes are being planned.
The town has good transport connections, underdeveloped housing and commercial markets and has been labelled as a prime area for regeneration.
Ilkley
Average House Price = £346,546
“A tourist destination in the Northern countryside hand-in-hand with a shopping town makes Ilkley one to watch on the property hotspot ladder,” says HouseSimple.
Convenient road links as well as two railway stations and a beautifully redeveloped shopping centre mean the area has “tremendous potential”.
Signs to look out for
If you want to know if an area is on the up, there are a few things to take a look at.
Local amenities
Are there supermarkets, schools and a train line within a five mile radius?
Crime rates
Unsurprisingly a low crime rate is crucial if house prices are going to rise.
Transport links
Look for areas that are just outside expensive postcodes, and have great transport options.
“Regeneration plans, a booming economy along with good transport routes are the key components when looking for the next up-and-coming area to make a property investment,” says a spokesperson for HouseSimple.