Two of Greater Manchester’s towns have made it onto the list of the UK’s property hotspots this year.
Both Bolton and Rochdale have been named among the top 20 areas with the biggest house price growth in 2021.
Rochdale was the highest placed northern town on the list, appearing in third place, and Bolton has been listed as the eighth property hotspot in the UK, according to research by Halifax.
Out of the top 20 towns, there are only five in the south that made it onto the list – meaning that northern areas have overtaken the south in terms of popularity and house price growth.
The remaining 15 towns were spread across the Midlands, Wales, North of England and Scotland, and no areas within Greater London appeared in the top 20.
This is a huge contrast from last year, where 11 of the towns were in London and the south, and it is thought that this shift has come as a result of the pandemic.
According to Halifax, the areas with the biggest house price growth in 2021, including Taunton, Newark and Rochdale, have seen the value of homes rise by three times the national average.
Taunton in Somerset was the top town on the list, where house prices have climbed by nearly 22% to £315,759 this year.
This was followed closely by Newark in the East Midlands, where average prices have jumped by a fifth to £280,934.
Rochdale was third on the list, where the average price of a house here now stand at £206,098.
Earlier this year the town was named as the most affordable place to buy a property in Greater Manchester.
Bolton also made it into the top 10 property hotspots in the UK.
In 2020, the average house price in this Greater Manchester town was £181,85, however this year it has seen a 16.9% increase.
If you’re looking to buy a property in Bolton, the average price you’d pay now stands at around £212,671.
Bolton Town Hall
Andrew Cardwell of Cardwells Estate Agents in Bolton, has shared an insight into why the northern town has flourished this year.
The managing director, whose company will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2022, said: “The Bolton property market has really flourished during the last 12 months.
“Despite these reported price rises, Bolton offers fantastic value for money in comparison to some of the other areas in and around Manchester, so is an attractive alternative to owner occupiers, families, property speculators and landlords alike.
“Bolton has some of the most beautiful countryside in areas like Egerton, Edgworth, Belmont and Horwich and there are a plethora of reservoirs and country parks across the whole town. Perhaps Bolton has benefited from some people looking to enjoy some of the beautiful semi rural locations following changes to working arrangements in light of the pandemic.
“It has fantastic transport links directly into Salford and Manchester via rail and there are superb motorway links. It is thought that the Metrolink network is going to extend to Bolton over the coming years, so transport facilities are close even when within the more rural positions.
“It is worth mentioning that the employment landscape has evolved over the last few years in Bolton, with many more opportunities arising; particularly at the Logistics North development which is home to Amazon and other significant employers.
“Bolton town centre is being heavily invested in with the new bus station close to the train station complete, there are many more major developments planned. The Church Wharf regeneration development works have already started and it is hoped that these wonderful projects will continue to significantly improve the town centre.
“Bolton has some wonderful schools with Bolton School, Turton, Sharples, Rivington etc being a significant draw for families seeking quality secondary education within the town.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/property/rochdale-bolton-named-among-uks-22602783?fbclid=IwAR2eoswASKOr5cNRE-rhzp2OMJ9090YoTpQF0LHnkUm2dq6E2_0wt2vHRWM
