Since the easing of lockdown, housebuilders across the UK have seen a surge of interest in their new build homes, and the North West of England is one of the regions seeing the most activity right now.
From city living to semi-rural tranquillity, there’s plenty for house-hunters in this part of the country to choose from. National estate agency Savills recently reported that its analysis of the UK housing market reveals that post-coronavirus, property price growth recovery over the next five years will be led by North West England. Nationally, it predicts a growth of 15.1% by 2024 but in the North West, a jump of 8.5% in 2021 and 9% in 2022 will lead to total growth of 24.1% by 2024.
Investors have long been drawn to the major cities due to them being much more affordable than London (where Savills sees a rise of just 4% in prices in the next five years) and producing strong rental returns. Recent data from mortgage broker Mojo Mortgages found that rental yields in the North West are the highest in the country.
RW Invest said recently: “Between 2018 and 2020, house price increases by area highlighted the strength of North West house prices compared to Southern regions. Within this two-year period, house prices in the North West increased by 6% and those in the Midlands by 7.6%, England’s property price growth during this period came to 3.3%, which shows that house prices in the North West of the UK exceeded the national average.”
Here’s a range of current developments in the North West of England that will interest house-hunters and investors.
Carnaby Place, Manchester
This new luxury development of 96 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, plus a limited range of three-bedroom townhouses, is situated on Regent Road, a few minutes’ walk from Manchester city centre. Ideal for the young professional market, the homes are arranged around a landscaped communal residents’ garden and the development also offers a concierge service, gymnasium and secure parking. Luxury furniture packages are available starting from £2,499 for a one-bedroom apartment, providing a whole range of things from soft furnishings to desks and spotlights. Alesco Investment Properties has been appointed as exclusive agents on the scheme. For any investor, apartments are being sold at 20% below market value, with prices start at £135,000.
Managing director Matthew Fawl, commented: “Here at Alesco, we believe Manchester will be at the forefront of the economic recovery post-Covid-19 and we proud to be the exclusive agents on such an impressive scheme right in the centre of the city.”
Find out more at www.alescoproperty.com.
Hesketh Reach, Rufford
Just a few miles east of Southport, Hesketh Reach is an exclusive development of semi-detached and detached three- and four-bedroom houses. The architecture has many traditional features, such as its brick/tile finishes, porches and bay windows. Inside, master bedrooms come with an en suite shower room, there are open-plan kitchen/dining rooms and separate lounges, and larger homes have handy utility rooms and a perfect study/home office. The available homes range from £279,950 to £409,995, meaning they are free of Stamp Duty until 31 March 2021.
In an area surrounded by lush farmland, Hesketh Reach offers a great balance of rural living and easy access to local amenities. There are a variety of local shops, leisure facilities and schools, as well as excellent transport links with a local train station and the A59 and M6 motorway just a short drive away.
Find out more about Hesketh Reach from Jones Homes.
X1 Manchester Waters
This is one of the last remaining large-scale regeneration opportunities on a prime double-fronted waterside location within walking distance to Manchester city centre. X1 Developments has partnered with Peel to build a flagship project bringing much-needed rental accommodation to Pomona Island. Included in the project are 190 units available to purchase at X1 Manchester Waters Tower 3.
There are apartments available to suit a range of budgets, with one-, two- and three-bedroom properties starting at £150,995, £224,995 and £379,995 respectively. Help to Buy is available.
Find out more at x1developments.com.
Local Crescent, Salford
For those seeking city life, Local Crescent is a community comprising 399 apartments and seven townhouses spread across three distinct towers contemporary façades. There’s a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with open-plan layouts, great interior specification and finishes and features such as full-height windows. Prices currently range from £234,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £470,000 for one of the three-bedroom townhouses. Help to Buy is available to owner-occupiers.
Residents here benefit from a host of facilities, including a heated swimming pool, cinema room, yoga studio, gym, laundrette, courtyard gardens, coffee shop, solarium, sauna and spa.
Situated in a vibrantly rejuvenated area of Salford dubbed The Crescent, its superb location offers residents views across the River Irwell and the acres of surrounding parkland. It is only minutes from the city centre.
Find out more about Local Crescent from Salboy.
Elisabeth Gardens, Reddish
Developer DeTrafford has restored and converted the historic Elisabeth Mill and built some new homes in the character of the Houldsworth Conservation Area – an “urban village” that combines the convenience of proximity to central Manchester – a few minutes away but road and rail – with the appeal of nature and the outdoor life, close to Reddish Vale Country Park with its 160 acres of countryside, and to two golf courses.
The conversion provides 163 one- and two-bedroom apartments, lavishly equipped and all benefiting from a terrace overlooking a stunning atrium. There’s also lots of shared amenity spaces including communal gardens. Adjoining this are distinct and innovative new build homes and apartments arranged around communal gardens. There will be 50 new homes here, including mews houses and duplexes.
Examples of properties ready to purchase and move into right now are a one-bedroom apartment with 550 sq ft of living space from £170,000; a 675-sq-ft two-bedroom house for £200,000; and a three-bedroom house of 744 sq ft from £265,000.
Find out more at detrafford.com.
Weston Woods, Nantwich
Weston Woods is a joint venture partnership between Lovell Homes and Latimer, Clarion Housing Group’s development arm. Three show homes were opened on 8 August and the whole viewing timetable was pre-registered and in line with social distancing guidelines and with regular cleaning.
This is a 99-home development comprising a mixture of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes and six two- and three-bedroom bungalows with prices starting off-plan from £262,995. They feature large family-friendly gardens and space for home working, both features currently high on the wish list of house hunters.
Anne-Marie O’Doherty, regional sales director at Lovell Homes North West, said: “We’re delighted that the show homes are now open for pre-booked appointments – following our successful, fully-booked launch weekend, we’re encouraging other interested house hunters to get in touch as soon as possible. This development is a personal favourite of mine due to its beautiful location and because many of the tight-knit community have been waiting a long time for additional housing so they can move, yet stay within the village, or to allow their families to move close by. It’s a highly sought-after location with excellent local schools, fantastic commuter links, and surrounding woodland.”
Find out more at www.lovell.co.uk.
Wilson Chase, Huyton
Wilson Chase is situated just on the edge of Huyton village, just six miles from the bright lights of Liverpool centre. It offers a wide range of three- and four-bedroom homes, making it appealing to everyone from first-time buyers to older downsizers. All are either detached or semi-detached, packed with modern features. Right now, a three-bedroom semi-detached home can be purchased from £224,995, while there’s also the final ‘Durham’ four-bedroom detached home for £284,995, including free flooring and kitchen appliances.
There’s a wide range of small independent shops, large stores and places to eat and drink within a short walk or drive of home here, and young families will appreciate the two ‘Good’ Ofsted-rated primary schools nearby.
Find out more at www.countrysideproperties.com.
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