New research has revealed who the real “winners and losers” were during Greater Manchester’s unprecedented property boom in 2020.
Bryn, Radcliffe, Cadishead, Hulme and Moss Side have all emerged as some of the hottest areas in the region, according to data compiled by Manchester-based conveyancing specialist JMW Solicitors LLP.
By comparing Google Trends data from July 2019 to July 2020, JMW found that searches for homes for sale in Bryn – a sought-after area of Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan – had increased by 179%, from 140 to a whopping 390.
Radcliffe (132%), Cadishead (125%), Hulme (100%) and Moss Side (100%) all showed similar increases, as the property market surged following the first lockdown.
Bryn – a sought-after area of Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan – tops the list / Credit: JMW Solicitors LLP
“The unprecedented impact and disruption of the coronavirus pandemic on all aspects of life has resulted in many people choosing to re-evaluate their priorities.” said Andrew Garvie, Head of Real Estate Residential from JMW Solicitors LLP.
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“With more people spending more time indoors than ever before due to the lockdown, it’s little wonder that thousands of families have chosen to change their living arrangements.
“Greater Manchester was no exception to the property market boom that was noted across the UK after the first lockdown, with thousands of searches carried out among prospective homeowners looking to relocate.”
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“Thousands of families have chosen to change their living arrangements.” / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
While the vast majority of areas across Greater Manchester recorded an increase in demand amid the national property market boom, others have seen their popularity dwindle, with Google searches for properties in some areas remaining stagnant despite the lift.
Aspull, Rusholme, Northenden and Kearsley each gained the same number of searches in July 2019 as they did in July 2020, meaning they experienced 0% growth amid the busier period.
The good news is that nowhere in Greater Manchester, where data was available, experienced a reduction in popularity during this time.
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Andrew Garvie added: “While it is interesting to see that many more urban spots, including the usually popular Fallowfield, saw no growth following the first lockdown of 2020, we are seeing a rise in people moving to the outskirts of the city, possibly in search of a quieter life with more outdoor space.
“The pandemic certainly brought about a shift in the type of properties people were searching for, and we can only expect this quest for larger homes with gardens in quieter spots to continue well into the future.”
Nowhere in Greater Manchester experienced a reduction in popularity / Credit: JMW Solicitors LLP
Looking at the situation nationally, house prices across the UK hit record highs in 2020, despite the economic downturn as a result of widespread restrictions.
According to Halifax’s mortgage-tracking index, house prices increased by 7.6% in the year to November 2020, while Nationwide’s index pointed to a 6.5% rise and similarly, Rightmove estimated that asking prices had jumped up by 6.6% in the 12 months to December.
The Office for National Statistics’ transaction data also pinpointed a 5.4% increase to October.
Greater Manchester town named ‘property hotspot’ after prices jump nearly 10% last year
Emily Sergeant
One Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after house prices have increased by nearly 10%.
Every year, leading property listing website, Rightmove, takes a look at all the cities, towns, and residential areas across the UK where house prices saw a significant hike on average last year, and puts together a top 10 list.
The ‘hotspot’ table is made up of a variety of locations where prices rose the most, when compared to the end of the year prior.
Taking the top spot on 2024’s list of property ‘hotspots’ is Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey, where the average asking price for a home jumped by 12.5% in 2024, compared with the end of 2023, while the runner up has been named as Bristol’s city centre, with average prices rising by 9%.
A Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after prices jumped nearly 10% last year / Credit: Pexels
Rounding out the top three, however, is the town of Swinton in Salford, with prices also rising by 9%, on average, in 2024 compared to 2023.
Swinton is becoming increasingly popular with first time buyers and families looking for more space and flexibility, while still being close to Manchester city centre, thanks to the several good local schools and community spaces within walking distance.
Other nearby north west areas in the top 10 for 2024 include Skelmersdale, in Lancashire near the border with Merseyside, and Darwen, also in Lancashire.
Top 10 ‘property hotspots’ for 2024
Sunbury-on-Thames
Bristol city centre
Swinton
Skelmersdale
Gosforth
Swansea
Merthyr Tydfil
Darwen
North Shields
Glenrothes
Overall, the North West was region with the second place highest increase in house prices in 2024 at 3.8%, followed by Wales and beaten only by the North East.
“Despite a slow year for price growth overall, there will always be pockets of Great Britain which perform above the average, and 2024’s list of hotspots is a mixed picture,” commented Rightmove’s Chief Data Officer, Steve Pimblett.
“Agents tell us that good quality homes in popular areas have continued to attract buyer interest, even in the slower periods of the market since mortgage rates went up.
“We predict that this year will be busier for the market in terms of price increases and sales, particularly if mortgage rates reduce.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Rightmove predicts that house prices will rise by 4%, on average, across Great Britain by the end of this year.
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliot (via Unsplash)
Property
A house on Greater Manchester’s most expensive street, with its own football pitch, has gone up for sale
Thomas Melia
A multi million pound mansion has recently gone up for sale in Greater Manchester and it’s even got its own football pitch.
There’s a six bedroom property that has just gone on the market and it’s situated on the region’s most expensive street – Barrow Lane in Hale.
Coming in at a whopping £5,950,000 and spread across four floors, the property nicely titled ‘Green Meadows’ is nestled in the affluent Trafford neighbourhood.
Starting from the (under)ground up, the basement level has everything you could ever wish for. From a private cinema room to your own personal club and bar function room… that’s my Saturday night sorted.
Wicked is going on repeat in here. Just try and stop me!Who needs the club, when the club comes to you? Credit: Rightmove
That’s not all, there’s six more rooms beneath the ground floor such as a store, plant room, recreational area and even a gym with its own sauna and treatment room attached.
As you make your way up the winding staircase to the entrance level, there’s a large reception hall, open plan kitchen, covered terrace and something I never knew I needed until today, a breakfast area.
Up another flight of stairs and onto the first floor where you’re greeted by a galleried landing that leads you off to three separate bedrooms with accompanying en suites.
Each of the six bedrooms in this house has its own en suite meaning you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own living quarters to spruce yourself up before the start of each day.
Grand bedroom in this Greater Manchester mansion.Imagine a long hot shower in there.Credit: Rightmove
The second and top floor is much similar with the final three bedrooms and a second galleried landing. I’ll have to get looking through my best selfies and see which ones I can frame on all these walls!
However, the top floor is boasting something much more impressive that, a room which many have dreamt of for years and years; a walk in wardrobe.
This gives me even more of an excuse to buy new clothes.Credit: Rightmove
Branded as a ‘Dressing Room’ on the official floor plan for the property, this walk in wardrobe has near enough, floor to ceiling storage and an island unit in the middle for, you guessed it, even more storage.
This mansion’s quarters spans just under one acre of land, 0.73 acres to be exact, and the outside of the house features a grand garden space that’s just as interesting.
As you exit the back of the property, after walking out onto the tiled beginning of the garden, your eyes can’t help but fixate on the almost full scale football pitch dominating the green space.
Alongside the main building, there’s a double garage and behind that you’ll find a mini basketball court, that’ll have you dusting off your Jordans and shooting some hoops in no time.
Now we know not everyone is fortunate enough to afford such grand houses like these, but when it’s online and right in our faces, it’d be rude not to have a nosey, right?
To view the extensive property for yourself including the full floor plan and more pictures, head over to the listing page on Rightmove HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
27th May 2021 
