The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has forecast that house prices in Wales will grow by 6% in 2016.
Tony Filice, the spokesman for RICS in Wales and a director of Cardiff estate agents Kelvin Francis, says shortages of starter and semi-detached homes will boost growth across the next year: “The other factor which we are looking out for is interest rates – they will have the biggest impact on the housing market. As soon as the rates increase that will slow the housing market and then perhaps put it into balance,” he says.
The latest figures for new homes published in the LSL New Build Index, powered by e.surv, indicates that prices are rising for smaller homes in Wales but diminishing on larger properties. Data to the end of November 2015 show that detached new home prices fell 0.4% over the previous 12 months, where terraced homes increased by 1.3%, semi-detached homes saw a 2.7% hike and apartments rose by 4% over the same period.
The WhatHouse? team has taken its pick of the current batch of new build properties now for sale in Wales...
Awel y More in Benllech, Anglesey (Anwyl Homes)
For a new home with a touch of island life, there are currently a number of four-bedroom properties for sale at this development in Anglesey. The development comprises 31 properties in all, including a number of two- and three-bedroom mews houses.
The seaside village of Benllech is ideal for families, first-time buyers and holiday-home buyers, with good local amenities, more choice at local towns and villages and a journey time of under half-an-hour to Bangor. It is around 80 minutes to Chester along the A55 Expressway.
Benllech beach has been a winner of the European Blue Flag award since 2004 and is ideal for watersports.
House-hunters looking for financial assistance to purchase will find Part Exchange and Help to Buy Wales available.
Prices: From £249,995
Find out more about Awel y More from Anwyl Homes
Afon Gardens in Brynmenyn, Bridgend (Redrow Homes)
Afon Gardens is a new development featuring three- and four-bedroom house types from Redrow’s acclaimed Heritage Collection, which puts a modern, high-specification and open-plan layout in a traditional, Arts and Crafts-inspired architectural design.
The development is situated just on the northern outskirts of Bridgend, surrounded by picturesque Welsh countryside, with excellent transport links (the M4, and Sarn and Tondu stations) and local amenities, including a large supermarket, designer outlet, cinema and hospital just minutes from the front door. There’s also a primary school within walking distance of these new homes and several other primary and secondary schools within easy reach.
Help to Buy Wales, Part Exchange and Mastermove assistance schemes are available.
Prices: From £210,995
Find out more about Afon Gardens from Redrow Homes
Horizon Walk in Gorseinon, Carmarthenshire (Barratt Homes)
On the north side of The Mumbles, around 20 minutes from Swansea city centre, is this collection of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. Neighbouring Loughor has a good range of local amenities within walking distance, and these new homes are also close to primary and secondary schools.
Commuters will appreciate the proximity of the M4, under 10 minutes’ drive away, bringing Cardiff within an hour and Bristol 90 minutes from home.
Barratt has a number of purchase assistance schemes on offer, from the government-backed Help to Buy Wales to Part Exchange, Movemaker and Armed Forces initiatives.
The development is open to visitors on Monday from 12.30pm to 5.30pm and on Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am to 5.30pm, with two show homes to see.
Prices: From £162,995
Find out more about Horizon Walk from Barratt Homes
Glan Llyn in Llanwern, Newport (St Modwen Homes)
The range of four-bedroom homes at this new development is a mix of contemporary two- and three-storey designs just four miles from the centre of Newport.
As well as the two-, three- and four-bedroom new homes comprising this scheme, residents will find a wealth of new facilities right on their doorstep, including shops, sports pitches and a doctors’ surgery, as well as beautiful lakes and parks.
Glan Llyn has easy access to the local motorway network, being located less than four miles from Junctions 23a, 24 and 28 of the M4. The nearest railway station is Newport, less than four miles away. From there, you can reach Cardiff Central train station in just 15 minutes.
Help to Buy Wales and St Modwen’s proprietary Assisted Move and Part Exchange schemes are all available.
Prices: From £207,995
Find out more at www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk ; 01633 271150