WAKEFIELD, YORKSHIRE

Simon Miller, Partner
Holroyd Miller

The Wakefield market continues to be dominated by new developments including one close to the city centre, called City Fields, offering a variety of house styles and types by all the major house builders. We currently have a number of smaller developments of four or six units with prices from £345,000 for a beautiful four-bedroomed detached home in Durkar with easy access to Junction 39 of the M1.

The new build market has highlighted the great value for money can be found in the second-hand market – if you have more time and funds for a project.

The average sales price in Wakefield is around £232,855, with the average sales times taking approximately 16 weeks.

In terms of lettings, the average rental price is £600 pcm unfurnished. Prices have held steady, however, since the election result, we have seen a great deal of activity, there appears to be more confidence and those clients that were sat on their hands amid the uncertainty around Brexit have made the decision to go to the market.

OPTIONS FOR ALL!

Locations north of Wakefield adjoining Leeds, such as the likes of Outwood, Wrenthorpe, Lofthouse and Stanley have always seen great demand and a cheap option for a great commute to Leeds. The greener south side of Wakefield continues to have an excellent selection of housing with the popular villages of Sandal, Newmillerdam, Notton and Woolley, offering village life while still only being minutes from Junctions 39 and 38 of the M1, which make them excellent options for those commuting to Sheffield or Leeds.

Wakefield also continues to be an excellent commuter location with its proximity to the M1 and M62 motorway network, as well as excellent rail links to Leeds, London and Edinburgh offering affordable living with a great mix of locations.

In 2020, I am sure we will see some excellent growth in the housing market and more interest in Wakefield and its surrounding areas.

Pictured property: Chevet Park. Guide price – £425,000

WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS

Scott Southall, Sales Manager
Edwards Moore Estate Agents

Edwards Moore has been helping people to buy their dream home for nearly 30 years. We have consistently offered honest, informed quality advice on the sale of marketing of homes throughout Walsall. The strength of the brand is enhanced by Auction House Birmingham which joined in 2010, a leading property auction company, to open our services to a wider market in the West Midlands. Our Auctions are held at The Bank’s Stadium, Walsall Football Club, attracting interest from far and wide.

Our central office at Aldridge stands in a prime central location with lots of passing foot traffic, by virtue of its location amongst the Banks and Restaurants of Aldridge. Instruction fees have remained consistent throughout 2019 and we expect this to remain at similar levels in 2020. The office regularly books 250 viewings per month on the residential sales department, which has resulted in an average sale price of £250,000.

We have recently won a prestigious award as best sales agent, independently reviewed by allAgents.co.uk for the Walsall borough for scoring the highest customer satisfaction in 2019.

CHALLENGES

I have 25 years’ residential property experience in estate agency and lettings, previously working for leading independent and corporate agencies, gaining experience in negotiation and managing successful offices.

The housing market has seen high demand and limited supply particularly on the lower end priced end of the market. Sales transactions have actually remained firm in Walsall. House prices continue to be supported by low interest rates. The majority of sales last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £237,339. Detached properties sold for an average of £394,683, with terraced properties fetching £193,351.

Overall sold prices in Walsall over the last year were similar to the previous year and 11 per cent up on the 2016 level of £150,943. One of the main challenges we face is educating the seller on price as normally their expectations are often ambitious. At Edwards Moore we regularly monitor and review if necessary, to suit the marketing response and to any change in marketing conditions.

Pictured property: Skip Lane, Walsall. Guide price – £670,000

FAREHAM, HAMPSHIRE

Jeremy Beckingsale, Director MNAEA
Pearsons Estate Agents

What’s not to love about Fareham? A traditional Hampshire market town, steeped in history, but with all the modern-day trappings a contemporary homeowner could ask for.

Whether you choose to take a stroll down the historic high street, lined with Georgian buildings, or seek the independent shops of West Street, the area offers a multitude of attractions for prospective homeowners from the young professional to the retiree alike.

Situated between the two cities of Southampton and Portsmouth and offering excellent road links to the M27 and mainline railway links to London, the Solent coastline with its extensive range of maritime and leisure pursuits and the renowned countryside of the Meon Valley are both easily accessible.

CULTURAL JOYS

For culture lovers the 750 capacity Ferneham Hall offers a packed programme of live music, theatre and comedy throughout the year, whilst adjacent to the bus station is the Reel Cinema with five screens showing all the latest blockbusters.

With numerous places to dine out around town, not to mention a picturesque waterside that hails back to Fareham’s days as a lively port, there is much to be admired in this charming Hampshire town.

Our Fareham branch was the proud recipient of our coveted office of the year award for the fourth year running, so coupled with our expert knowledge of emerging market trends and the local catchment area, you can be confident the service you receive from us will be second to none.

Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, let or rent, our expert team comprises sales negotiators, valuers and financial advisers, so no matter what your property requirements, you couldn’t be in better hands than with Pearsons Fareham.

Pictured property: Catisfield, Fareham. Guide price – £750,000