A new report from Zoopla has unveiled the UK’s property value hotspots, showcasing stark differences in house price growth across the country. The findings highlight a “clear cut” divide, with northern regions and Scotland seeing significant gains, while southern England experiences more modest increases.
The data reveals that roughly half of the UK’s 30 million homes saw an average increase of £9,900 last year. However, one region stood out with a median price rise of £26,600 – Waltham Forest in London. At the other end of the spectrum, around 9.1 million properties across the UK lost at least 1% of their value, with an average loss of £10,800.
Northern Ireland emerged as the best-performing nation, with an estimated 94% of homes increasing in value by £14,200 on average. Scotland also fared well, with 73% of properties seeing a £10,400 average gain. The North West (72%, £9,700) and the North East (67%, £6,600) also recorded significant growth.
In contrast, the South East (32%, £11,800) and South West (33%, £10,400) experienced more muted increases, which Zoopla attributed to affordability challenges and a wider choice of homes on the market.
“The general trend is that most home values continue to increase steadily upwards, especially away from southern England,” said Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla. “However, many homes are registering broadly static or lower values as the market continues to adjust to higher mortgage rates and more homes for sale, which is boosting choice for buyers. This is particularly prevalent in southern England.”
The report’s property value hotspots include Renfrewshire in Scotland, where 95% of homes saw an average increase of £12,500, and Chorley in the North West, where 88% of properties gained £11,500. Wrexham in Wales (79%, £10,400) and Northumberland in the North East (78%, £8,600) also featured prominently.
The findings highlight the ongoing regional disparities in the UK’s housing market, with northern and Scottish regions outperforming their southern counterparts. As the market continues to adjust, it will be crucial for sellers in the South to price their properties realistically to attract buyers in the current climate.
