311 Hands-Free Properties Secured For Clients — and Counting

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• House prices increased by +0.7% in January, following a -0.5% fall in December

• Average property price is now £300,077, rising above £300k for the first time

• Annual growth at +1.0%, up from +0.4% in December

• Regional differences in house price performance have become more pronounced

• House prices in the North West for the last 12 months are up +2.1%, compared to the UK average of 1.0%

  Why It Matters for Sub-£125k Investors 

• Many North West towns (e.g. Burnley, Accrington, Blackburn, Darwen) still offer terraced homes under £125,000, well below the regional average. 
• These properties often yield 7–10%+ gross returns, depending on condition and tenancy strategy. 
• Capital growth of +4.0% means your investment is not just cash-flowing, but also appreciating faster than most of the UK.

 Additional Market Evidence  

• Rightmove & Zoopla show increasing buyer demand in affordable areas of the North due to southern buyers being priced out of their local markets. 
• Regeneration and infrastructure investment (e.g. town centre revamps in Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington) continue to attract investors and uplift values. 
• Mortgage approvals and buyer demand remain steady despite broader economic uncertainty.

Summary

If you’re investing with a budget of under £125k, the North West remains one of the best-performing and most affordable parts of England. You benefit from low entry prices, growing demand, capital growth outpacing much of the country, and strong rental yields

Although the UK’s average property price is now above £300,000, growth in recent years has been relatively modest, following the sharp increases seen during the pandemic. 

Over the past three years, property prices have risen by +5.7%, or around £16,000, as higher interest rates and stretched affordability have kept growth muted. 

By contrast, the three years from 2020 to 2023 saw prices climb nearly +19% (over £44,000), driven by ultra-low borrowing costs and the ‘race for space’. 

 “For first-time buyers the headline numbers can seem daunting, but it’s important to remember that most are looking at smaller properties in areas that reflect their budget. Many locations offer far more accessible price points, especially in northern regions where homes can often be found for under £200,000. 

 “Affordability is still a challenge, but stronger wage growth and falling mortgage rates have helped relieve some of the pressure in recent years. We expect that improvement to continue in 2026, meaning that with the right support and advice, home ownership should become a realistic prospect for more would-be buyers.” 

 Regional differences in house price performance have become more pronounced, with a clear divide between the northern and southern parts of the UK.   In the north, positive momentum has carried over from last year, with demand and inflation remaining robust.  

Within England, the strongest growth remains concentrated in the north. The North West saw prices increase +2.1% to £244,328, while the North East recorded +1.2% annual growth, bringing the typical price to £181,198. 

In contrast, southern regions have seen prices soften. The South East, South West, London and Eastern England all saw annual declines of more than 1%. As the four most expensive areas of the country, these markets tend to be more sensitive to higher borrowing costs and taxes, which can weigh on affordability and confidence