The homebuyer hotspots beating Brexit uncertainty

January 16, 2020

The latest research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has revealed that Falkirk, Bristol and Sale are currently some of the most sought after areas for UK homebuyers.

GetAgent.co.uk analysed the level of buyer activity in 100 of the largest towns and cities across the nation ranking each area with a demand percentage score based on the number of homes sold subject to contract or under offer.

The latest data shows that buyer demand across the 100 biggest UK towns and cities is currently sat at 41%, a 1% drop on the previous quarter with no movement on an annual basis. In London, current demand is at 35%, up 2% on the previous quarter and 4% year on year.

The hottest spots right now (UK and London)

With buyer demand at 61%, Falkirk is home to the highest level of homebuyer demand in the UK, with Bristol and Sale hot on its heels with a score of 59% and 58% respectively.

North of the border, Glasgow (57%) and Edinburgh (57%) also prove popular with UK homebuyers, while commuter towns Woking and Dartford (56%), along with Sheffield (55%), Exeter (54%) and Cambridge (52%), also rank in the top 10 hottest spots.

In the capital, Bexley retains its title as one of the most in-demand boroughs for London homebuyers at 59%, with other peripheral boroughs such as Waltham Forest (57%), Havering (49%), Sutton (49%) and Bromley 46%) ranking high.

Lewisham, Hillingdon, Barking and Dagenham, Kingston and Redbridge are also amongst some of the most popular boroughs to buy at present.

Biggest changes in demand (Quarterly and annually)

On a quarterly basis, Woking, Cambridge and Bournemouth have seen some of the largest quarterly uplifts in demand, increasing between 4.7%-6.8%. In London, a prime central fightback sees the City of London, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea top the table.

Annually, Woking ranks first again, with demand up 14% since the start of last year, along with Exeter and Bristol. Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Sutton are the London boroughs where homebuyer activity has increased the most over the last year.

Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: 

“Nationally, we sit pretty much where we were a year ago where current levels of buyer demand are concerned and while festive seasonality has a part to play, it may also take a little while longer before December’s election boost in buyer sentiment becomes apparent at a top-level.

However, the UK property market is extremely diverse and it’s clear that some areas have already jumped the gun with notable uplifts in buyer demand levels both year on year and in the last quarter alone, with many pockets also enjoying very high levels of current buyer demand despite wider market conditions.

The more affordable boroughs around London’s peripheries continue to be the most popular amongst the capital’s buyers, however, there are signs that prime central London is beginning to fight back with demand on the up at the top end of the market.

With early signs of a market revival already this year, we should see buyer demand continue to climb as the months go by and this, in turn, will help to stimulate an otherwise sluggish rate of house price growth.”

Area
Current Demand
Quarterly Change
Annual Change
UK
41%
1%
0%
London
35%
2%
4%

 

UK – Highest Current Demand
Location
Current Demand
Falkirk
61%
Bristol
59%
Sale
58%
Glasgow
57%
Edinburgh
57%
Woking
56%
Dartford
56%
Sheffield
55%
Exeter
54%
Cambridge
52%
UK – Highest Quarterly Increase
Location
Quarterly Change
Woking, Surrey
6.8%
Cambridge
4.9%
Bournemouth
4.7%
Reading
4.6%
Dartford
3.9%
Exeter
3.8%
Edinburgh
3.5%
Eastbourne
3.4%
St Alban’s
2.8%
Crawley
2.7%
UK – Highest Annual Increase
Location
Annual Change
Woking
14.0%
Exeter
9.6%
Bristol
7.3%
Cambridge
6.5%
York
6.1%
Watford
6.1%
Reading
6.0%
High Wycombe
5.5%
Basildon
4.7%
Bournemouth
4.7%
London – Highest Current Demand
Borough
Demand
Bexley
59%
Waltham Forest
57%
Havering
49%
Sutton
49%
Bromley
46%
Lewisham
45%
Hillingdon
45%
Barking and Dagenham
44%
Kingston upon Thames
43%
Redbridge
42%
London – Highest Quarterly Increase
Borough
Q-change
Waltham Forest
5.5%
Bexley
5.0%
Islington
4.5%
Havering
3.9%
City of London
3.5%
Hillingdon
3.4%
Kingston upon Thames
3.4%
Camden
3.3%
Newham
2.8%
Richmond upon Thames
2.8%
London – Highest Annual Increase
Borough
Q-change
Waltham Forest
12.1%
Redbridge
8.9%
Sutton
8.7%
Havering
7.9%
Kingston upon Thames
7.9%
Bexley
7.2%
Camden
7.0%
Hillingdon
6.8%
Enfield
6.8%
Richmond upon Thames
6.5%

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