Britain’s top ten property hotspots of 2017 include a small market town in Suffolk and Bristol
The most searched for locations on Rightmove in 2017 include Bristol, York and Edinburgh
A SMALL martket town in Suffolk, a city in the southwest of England and Scotland's largest town have all been tipped as the top property hotspots for 2017.
Rightmove has identified Bristol, Sudbury in Suffolk and Livingston in West Lothian as the locations where house prices have risen in newly-listed homes.
The property portal said Bristol was the most searched-for place outside London this year for both buyers and renters.
Meanwhile, house asking prices in Sudbury have surged by 13.1 per cent over the past year - more than anywhere else in Britain.
And homes in Livingston are the fastest to sell typically - flying off the shelves in just 23 days - around a third of the national average selling time of 67 days.
Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove, said: "Although prices have grown at a muted rate of 1.2 per cent nationally this year, there are a number of local markets where strong demand and short supply has led to pretty heady price rises, especially in areas where homes are relatively more affordable than some of their nearby cities."
Rightmove also quoted the views of estate agents in its report.
Dan Gurney, area manager at William H Brown Estate Agents in Sudbury, said of the area: "It's a thriving market town with picturesque countryside on its doorstep so, all combined, it's no surprise that it tops the table for price growth.
"Sudbury is a property hotspot for those buyers attracted to its close proximity to Cambridge and range of Georgian and Victorian properties, plus we've seen a wave of buyers from London - it has certainly benefited from a 'ripple out' effect where buyers look for more for their money away from climbing city house prices."
And referring to the popularity of Bristol, Sam Riddell, senior branch manager of Andrews Property Group in Bishopston, said: "Bristol has something for everyone, from the bohemian streets of St Werburghs to the grandeur of Clifton Village."
Two places in West Yorkshire make the top 10 places with the biggest asking price rises in 2017 - Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden - and two in Northamptonshire - Rushden and Kettering.
Stephen Revell, branch manager at William H Brown Estate Agents in Sowerby Bridge, located near to trendy Hebden Bridge, said: "Buyers are certainly cottoning on to the fact that, in this location, you get a lot more property for your money."
Meanwhile, Simon Thomas, owner of RE/MAX Estate Agents in Livingston, said: "Supply has been quite tight which has led to buyers finding themselves up against a lot of competition to secure the home they want, which has led to properties selling more quickly than before."
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London was excluded from all of the findings in Rightmove's report.
It's not been a bumper year for the housing market. Prices are still rising across the country but growth as taken a knock, according to a recent survey by Halifax.
In the past, London was always the location with the fastest rising house prices. But this year, other locations have taken over, including Brimingham, Edingburgh and Manchester.
How to get help buying a house
THERE are several government schemes available to help you get on the housing ladder.
- Help to Buy loan: This scheme is for those who have a 5 per cent deposit, and is only available on new-build properties that are worth less than £600,000. The government lends you up to 20 per cent of the property value (interest-free for the first five years) which gives you access to cheaper mortgages. You will need to pay this back at the end of the mortgage or when you sell.
- Starter Homes: First-time buyers under the age of 40 can access this new scheme. You’ll get a 20 per cent discount on the market value of the property (new-build only) but you cannot sell or let the property for five years after you buy it.
- Shared ownership: This scheme is available to non-homeowners who earn £80,000 a year or less (£90,000 in London). People can buy a share of a home from a housing association and continue to rent the remainder. Buyers will need a ten per cent deposit as well as money to cover stamp duty and other fees. You’ll also need to find a mortgage lender that is willing to lend on shared ownership properties
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