Bradford has cemented its position as the country’s most sought-after housing market, topping OnTheMarket’s Hotspots Index for the third report running.
The index, compiled by the CoStar-owned property portal, analyses the relationship between available sales listings and buyer activity over a three-month period.
Between May and July, the West Yorkshire city retained its number one spot, having also led in both the February–April and November–January reports.
Bradford’s consistency underlines the strength of demand for good-value housing in northern markets. Coventry registered one of the strongest increases, climbing from ninth to second place, while Stoke-on-Trent entered the top ten for the first time in the latest report, up from 12th to ninth. By contrast, Barnsley slipped five places to 15th.
COLDER SPOTS
At the cooler end of the index, Brighton emerged as the least active market, swapping places with Southend-on-Sea, which rose three positions. Bristol also saw a marked decline, falling eight places to join the bottom ten for the first time.
Jason Tebb, president of OnTheMarket, says the results reinforced the regional divide in buyer appetite.
He adds: “Once again, the north-south divide is holding firm, with the strongest levels of activity concentrated in some of the most vibrant and best-value markets in the north of England.
“By contrast, southern seaside towns, where average values are higher, dominate the foot of the table.”
AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGE
And he says: “Despite five interest rate reductions in the past year and some lenders easing criteria, affordability remains a challenge.
“Buyers are still seeking locations where their money will go further. Yet even with strong wage growth, higher average property values are making it difficult for many to bridge the gap.”
Beyond the headline markets, several towns and cities registered notable moves. Luton climbed to 11th from 22nd, Southampton jumped from 25th to 16th, and Slough leapt from 36th to 20th. Oxford also registered a significant rise, moving from 30th to 17th. Swindon, however, fell sharply from 20th to 34th.
LONDON HOTSPOTS HOLD STEADY
In London, the rankings were less volatile. Barking and Dagenham and the City of London swapped places at the top, but the overall composition of both the top and bottom ten boroughs remained unchanged.
Lambeth continued to show the lowest levels of buyer intensity of any London borough, retaining its last-placed position for the third consecutive report.
According to Gary Scargill, branch partner at haart Dagenham, affordability and connectivity continue to underpin demand in his patch.
EXCELLENT TRANSPORT LINKS
He says: “Dagenham continues to attract strong interest from buyers thanks to its combination of affordability and excellent transport links. Freehold houses start from around £325,000, offering exceptional value compared to many neighbouring locations.
“The area also boasts plenty of recreational space, making it popular with families and those seeking a balanced lifestyle.
“Recent major developments, such as the opening of Eastbrook Studios, London’s newest and largest film and television campus, have further enhanced Dagenham’s profile and appeal.”
