New home searches surge in The North as buyers seek more space

Press release: 13.07.2021

A new WhatHouse? study has revealed that Britain’s Northerly regions are currently attracting high levels of new home buyer interest.  A positive sign that, post-pandemic, many home buyers consider The North of England and Scotland to be the answer to their changing space requirements and lifestyle priorities.

• During June, the North East achieved a 6% growth in new home buyer searches.
• In the same period, the North West of England demonstrated the highest average price increase (+10%). Scotland demonstrated the second highest increase (+6%).  London recorded a -1% drop.
• The West Midlands maintained third-position on search league tables for a second month running, achieving 16,445 new home buyer searches during June 2021. 

Daniel Hill, WhatHouse? Managing Director comments: “From the search behaviour experienced on Whathouse.com we can see that Britain’s more northerly regions are the standout stars of 2021 so far, as the North East achieves a 6% increase in new home search during June and the North West maintains its top three new home search spot for a second month running.  This satisfies pent-up housing need across the regions, but also goes some way to level the huge price gap with London as the North West records a 10% increase in new home average price, compared to London’s -1% drop.  It’s no surprise that more home buyers are considering new builds in Britain’s more northerly regions – with home working becoming the norm many more of us will be able to relocate away from traditional ‘commuter’ locations.”

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

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