Looking to buy your first home next year, or perhaps invest in a buy-to-let? Don’t go house hunting until you’ve read our guide to the best locations to buy in 2019
As 2018 draws to a close, the housing market typically goes for a festive nap before reawakening with renewed vigour in the new year. We’ve asked property insiders for their tips on the best places to buy in the year ahead and you might just be surprised by some of their top hotspots.
City focus: Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle
With plenty of angst-ridden headlines about the effects of Brexit on the housing market, Jonathan Stephens, MD of Surrenden Invest, believes buy-to-let purchasers shouldn’t let it sway their house hunt too much, as it’s only likely to affect things in the short term.Wales: Newport, Conwy and Carmarthenshire
Believe it or not, Newport in South Wales is one of the hottest places to buy in the UK right now. It’s benefited from the ‘Bristol effect’ as people struggling to afford the rising house prices are skipping over the border to the Welsh town, where you can get a three-bedroom property for £180,000.
Mark Roberts, Director of Roberts Estate Agents in Newport, says: “We’re seeing all sorts of buyers looking for properties in Newport, from first-time buyers and investors from Bristol to locals taking the chance to sell up and buy a bigger home.”
Of course, not everybody wants to live in a city, and if you are looking for a more rural location, then Wales offers plenty of potential.
The county of Conway in North Wales has seen a 10% rise in house prices between February 2018 and February 2017, with Colwyn Bay being named as one of the fastest-moving markets in the UK in data released by Rightmove.
According to the latest UK House Price Index, house prices in Wales are up 5.8% on last year, way ahead of the UK as a whole. And with average house prices of £162,089, significantly below the England average of £249,408, it’s a lot more affordable than you might think.
Carol Peett, Managing Director of West Wales Property Finders believes the lure here is more than just financial too, offering a quality of life that appeals to many.
Carol says: “West Wales offers a wealth of opportunities for all ages. There are modestly prices houses for young families and smallholdings where children can enjoy a really good old fashioned childhood away from the fear of crime (this area has one of the lowest crime rates in the UK).
“Lifestyle businesses such as holiday letting units, campsites, etc. offer those wishing to escape the cities and office jobs an opportunity to enjoy a more healthy lifestyle and for older buyers there are a wealth of bungalows and smaller houses where they can enjoy retirement somewhere with a wonderful community spirit where people look after their neighbours and again they can feel safe.”
https://www.loveproperty.com/news/80176/best-places-to-buy-a-property-in-2019 – Love Property 18th December 2018
If you are looking to move to West Wales, or buy a property in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Gower, give West Wales Property Finders a call on 01834 862816. We can find you your perfect property whilst saving you time, stress and often money too. http://www.westwalespropertyfinders.co.uk