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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Patrick Edrich

Liverpool city centre market driving rising property growth

Liverpool continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in terms of property price growth compared to national averages.

Recent research by Zoopla has revealed Liverpool leads the way in terms of price growth at 10.7% compared to last year.

The research has shown there has been higher levels of price growth in the more affordable areas in the UK with Liverpool leading the way.

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Housing price increases in the city have contributed largely to an average growth of over 9% across the North West.

Gráinne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla, told the ECHO : "Liverpool has seen quite strong growth compared to the UK average for quite a few months now.

"To give some context to Liverpool's growth, it peaked at 13.7% in July, so it's on the way down but still one of the fastest growing in the country.

"It's been one of the fastest growing cities in house prices for a good eight or nine months and it's really following the pandemic trends.

"What we're seeing in the more affordable markets is higher levels of price growth and that's what we've seen with Liverpool."

Ms Gilmore said recently there has been a sharp increase as buyers are returning to the market and this in part is being driven by city centre markets.

She said the nearing of the end of the pandemic meant more people were returning to working in the office.

This coupled with an increase in people rethinking hybrid working models meant there's been a boost to Liverpool's city centre market.

She added price differentials between houses and flats made the latter more affordable - particularly for first time buyers.

Ms Gilmore said: "The market is also being boosted by office-based workers re-thinking where and how they are living amid more hybrid working models.

"But in some cases, as offices re-open, some demand is flowing back into city centres.

"Couple this trend with the return of international demand and the more modest price rises in flats compared to houses over the last two years, and it’s clear why we are now seeing a record-high spike in demand for flats outside London, and the highest rate of demand for flats in the capital than at any time since the end of the first lockdown.

"Flats in the top 20 cities across the UK are up around 1.8% compared to houses which are at around 8%.

"In the last month or two we're seeing buyers bearing that in mind as they're coming back into the market, so that will be boosting Liverpool's city centre market."

Ms Gilmore also said the current sellers market with increased property values has meant there is a supply demand.

Zoopla said Liverpool has been the fastest growing UK city for a number of months (Colin Lane)

Currently the total stock of homes across the UK is 44% down on a five year average - a slight rise compared to the previous year.

She said: "There has been a supply problem.

"Just like much of 2021, the number of homes available for sale is lower than typical levels, but there are signs that the imbalance between demand and supply is starting to ease.

"As more potential sellers are able to find a home to move to, this will spur more supply in the weeks and months to come.

"The sheer level of activity eroded stock, but we're just starting to see more supply coming onto the market.

"It is a tight market, but as long as there's enough willing buyers and seller, you will still get a lot of activity."

The supply issues coupled with the rising prices threatens to price people out of property - and that is a fear for first time buyers.

But Ms Gilmore adds while the UK average housing price sits around £240,000, in Liverpool it is £180,000 - even with rising prices.

She said this means Liverpool is still well below the average prices meaning the city is a desirable place to live.

She added: "I think Liverpool is a really attractive city, so it will be drawing in buyers from all over the country."

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