Demand for new homes in the East Midlands surges by 46%

Press release: 16.09.2021

The East Midlands is revealed as the fastest growing region for new home search in Britain, as the number of people searching for a new built property jumps by 46% in August.  This is compared with an overall -10% decrease in new home search across the UK.  The stat, released in this month’s WhatHouse? New Homes Index, is an encouraging sign that many home buyers consider the region to be the answer to their changing space requirements and lifestyle requirements post-COVID.

• The average price of new home property coming to market in the East Midlands is £304,485 (-3% since July), compared against the UK national average of £334,801 (-1% since July). 
• Top three new home search areas during August:

1. South East of England - 31,293 new home buyer searches
2. West Midlands - 19,921 new home buyer searches
3. East Midlands has secured a top three search position with 16,760 new home buyer searches during August 2021, representing a 46% increase on July’s figures.

• Across the UK, August saw a -10% decrease in new home search, recording a total of 149,521 new home buyer searches, compared to 166,137 during July 2021.  The East Midlands has bucked this trend with a 46% increase.

Regional home builders report that access to the stunning Peak District, great transport links, historic cities, and below national average new home asking prices of £304,485 may have contributed to the rise in East Midlands new home search - as home buyers seek more space and enhanced quality of life for their budget post-COVID. 

Daniel Hill, WhatHouse? Managing Director comments: “Over the past year, we’ve seen new home buyers’ priorities changing. More people are looking for a new build home with additional space for a home office or gym, and the need for outdoor space that arose in lockdown has maintained its crucial importance. We’ve also seen a substantial increase in people looking for new build homes outside of the traditional commuter zones.  

From the search behaviour on Whathouse.com we can see that interest in new homes within the East Midlands region has jumped dramatically during August, traditionally slower due to summer holiday diversions.  August saw a total of 16,760 searches, which places the East Midlands in the top three for the first time in 2021.   The new home property market is considered a key economic health indicator.  This surge points to a strong Autumn post-pandemic bounce back for the region.”

Notes to Editors:

The WhatHouse? New Homes Index is based on data sourced from the WhatHouse? New Homes audience platform.  The Index is compiled using a sample representing approx. 400,000 new home buyer searches across England, Scotland and Wales per year and its findings are reflective of WhatHouse? user experiences and geographic market share.

About WhatHouse?

Whathouse.com is the UK’s leading new home audience platform. For more than 30 years’ its aim has been to inspire UK homebuyer decisions around new property. With a comprehensive directory of over 7,000 new homes, from the UK’s most celebrated housebuilders, WhatHouse? makes it easy for buyers to consider the diverse range of property developments available and to find their perfect new home match.

The annual WhatHouse? Awards started out back in 1980 and will mark its 41st birthday at an extraordinary industry event, sponsored by BritishVolt, in November 2021.  Dubbed ‘the Oscars of the housebuilding industry’, the awards send a panel of expert judges to every corner of the UK to find winners within over 20 categories including Best Starter Home Project, Best Sustainable Development, and the coveted Housebuilder of the Year title.

Contact our press team:

WhatHouse? Online Press Centre

Call Jill Willis: 07855 409970

Email: [email protected]