PROPERTY
A look at the market in…
STAFFORDSHIRE
T
his month, we take a look at the thriving
property market in Stoke on Trent and the
Newcastle under Lyme area, where demand
for property is now truly out weighing supply.
Daniel Smart, Branch Manager of Hunters in the
Stoke on Trent and Newcastle under Lyme office
says,” It has been a phenomenal start to the year,
we have seen 50% increase in our agreed sales with
multiple buyers for many properties, we
desperately need more properties to satisfy our
extensive list of ready and able buyers.”
He says, “The office has been
the busiest we have seen since
we joined Hunters with sales
beating all our targets and
activity levels on the increase. It
is really a good time to sell; we
cannot put the sold slips on fast
enough here in Staffordshire
although many agents claim
little is happening in the
market”.
Hunters activity levels are
backed up by recent figures and
stats released in the media.
According
to
research
undertaken by Nationwide, UK
house prices rose by 0.7% in
January and were 8.8% higher
than they were back in January 2013. This figure
represents the fastest year on year increase in
house prices since May 2010.
Property site Rightmove found that interest in
properties is currently at a record high and the
number of property pages viewed on their site
increased by 20% in the first two
weeks of 2014.
Kerry Smart, Franchise Partner
at Hunters Stoke on Trent, says “It
is great to see a renewed spirit of
optimism in the housing market in
Staffordshire – things are looking
up!”
In 2011, it was reported that the
average house price in Stoke-onTrent was the lowest in the country
at £73,733. The average house price
in Staffordshire was reported to be
£134,460 and house sales saw a
nationwide general decline.
According to Zoopla and by
comparison, the average price of a
house in Stoke-on-Trent now stands
at £123,623, an increase of 3.76% on last year’s
figures. The average price of a house in
Staffordshire has enjoyed a significant 4.72% leap
in the past year and is now a much healthier
£157,877.
Stoke-on-Trent remains the cheapest place to
buy a house in Staffordshire, while Lichfield has the
county’s highest average selling price at £225,343.
There has also been a rise in first time buyers,
helped by schemes such as Help to Buy and a fall
in interest rates.
If you are thinking of selling or letting this
spring, Hunters offer free market appraisals. Give
Kerry or Dan a call on 01782 626522.
Or if you have any questions email
[email protected]
According to
research undertaken
by Nationwide, UK
house prices rose by
0.7% in January and
were 8.8% higher
than they were back
in January 2013
April/May 2014 53