Posted 23 October 2015 by
Keith OsborneThe current status of the housing market in Wales might be presently characterised by the phrase “steady as she goes”, rather than “full steam ahead”.
According to the latest research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), agreed sales rose for eight out of the last nine months in Wales and new buyer enquiries “remained strong”.
The RICS report also revealed Welsh house prices seeing a further increase, with the RICS estimating that the ongoing lack of new houses coming onto the market will see this trend continuing into the first half of next year. Land Registry figures released at the end of September, reporting on the market to the August, reported a 0.9% average rise in house prices in Wales over the previous 12 months.
The shortage of stock at the lower end of the sales market is fuelling rental demand, says RICS, which is sustaining rents charged by landlords as first-time buyers compete with buy-to-let investors. However, the RICS data is also seeing the upper end of the market starting to sell, indicating increasing confidence.
Copper Quarter in Swansea (Barratt Homes)
This development is offering a range of two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses arranged around parking courts, with landscaped areas and nearby river walks.
These contemporary homes are also close to the local shops and schools and also conveniently near to the new Swansea University Bay Campus, which would make some of these homes a great option for buy-to-let investors. The city centre is a short drive away, or residents can use the park-and-ride bus service nearby. Leisure facilities, a supermarket and the Liverty stadium are all close at hand too.
There are view homes open to visitors on Mondays from 12.30pm to 5.30pm and on Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.00am to 5.30pm.
Prices: From £136,995
St Lythans Park in Cardiff (Bellway)
A collection of new show homes was unveiled last weekend at a development being built on the former site of the ITV Wales studios. The three new show properties – the three-bedroom ‘Shipton’, four-bedroom ‘Walton’ and five-bedroom ‘Flinton’ – have been professionally interior designed to inspire house-hunters with the latest trends.
The development will comprise 224 new homes when complete, with a selection of two- to five-bedroom homes. In addition to these much-needed new homes, the development will also see the housebuilder spend around £750,000 on improving primary and nursery education facilities, £448,000 on the improvement of sustainable transport facilities locally, £221,000 on local community facilities and £50,000 on the creation of public art at the site.
Sales manager for Bellway’s Wales division, Carly Maidment, says: ““We’re delighted to be regenerating a landmark site like the former ITV Wales studios, and we’ve already experienced strong levels of interest in the homes available. We are building homes to appeal to a large cross-section of buyers – they might be families looking for some extra space, investors or professionals who are looking for a quality home with a quick commute into Cardiff.”
Prices: From £282,995
Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk ; 07341 563534
Bay View in Deganwy, Conwy (Blue Bay Homes)
Bay View is situated in an elevated position with stunning panoramic views overlooking Deganwy, the Conwy estuary, Conwy bay and the distant Carneddau mountains and the Isle of Anglesey.
The development comprises of 22 one- and two-bedroom apartments, elegantly designed to a very high standard. It is in easy commuting distance of the famous seaside resorts of Rhos-on-Sea, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay.
Deganwy boasts a beautiful shoreline with its own sandy beach and an array of local amenities, including village shops, a primary school and a railway station with direct links to Llandudno Junction, Chester and Manchester and connections to Holyhead and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Buyers can expect magnificent views from their new homes. These properties have high-quality fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, modern designer bathroom suites, spacious open-plan living areas with large windows and allocated parking.
Prices: £POA
Find out more at www.bluebayhomes.co.uk ; 01492 550700
Llanafan near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion (Morgan & Davies)
New builds in this part of the picturesque Ystwyth Valley are not commonplace, so this is a good opportunity to grab a brand new property just eight miles from the university and market town of Aberystwyth, which provides a comprehensive range of shopping, schooling and retail facilities together with the thriving University of Wales campus. These homes are equally appealing to owner-occupiers or investors.
These properties have an entrance hall, downstairs cloakroom, fitted kitchen, lounge/dining Room with patio doors to the garden, three bedrooms, and a bathroom with WC. Each has double glazing and oil-fired central heating, a garden and parking.
Prices: From £157,500
Find out more at www.morgananddavies.co.uk ; 01545 571600