Wales is still the UK region with the highest average house price increase, and that the upward trend continues according to latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.
With many industry experts predicting a slow down in the rate of house prices in Wales and the UK during 2022, it certainly didn't occur at the end of 2021 according to the ONS.
The average house price in Wales in December 2021 was £204,835, an increase from the £199,877 reported for November 2021.
READ MORE: The neighbourhoods with the fastest growing house prices in Wales
The latest house price index released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) - a year-on-year comparison to December 2021 - shows this rate to be an increase to 13%, up from 12.1% in November.
The next UK region to see the highest year-on-year growth to December 2021 is Scotland, with a 11.2% increase to an average asking price of £180,000, which is a drop on the November figures for this nation.
Northern Ireland and England are joint third, each with a 10.7% growth and this is the same figure for Northern Ireland reported in November by the ONS.
But the figure for England has seen a noticeable growth, from 9.8% with an average house price of £288,000 in November to 10.7% growth and £293,000 in December. London continues to be the region with the lowest annual growth rate, at 5.5%.
At a UK national level there is still an upward monthly trend in average house price growth, which increased by 10.8% over the year to December 2021, slightly up from 10.7% reported for November 2021.
The UK average asking price in December 2021 was £275,000, which is £27,000 higher than this time last year.
Monmouthshire remains the most expensive county in Wales with an average asking price of £329,862, up from £322,073 in November 2021.
And this is a 12.3% increase year-on-year from December 2020 to December 2021.
It is the only county in Wales to have broken through the £300,000 average price level.
Blaenau Gwent remains the cheapest county in Wales to buy a house with the average asking price in December 2021 at £113,473 according to the ONS. This is a rise of 10.9% across the 12 month period.
But the top three counties that top the December 2021 table for the highest increase in average house price are all coastal areas.
The trio are clustered at the top, noticeably above the percentage increase figures for the remaining 19 counties in Wales.
1. Vale of Glamorgan
This county that can offer a heritage coast, rolling countryside, pretty villages and a sprinkling of vibrant towns has seen a 20.8% increase in the average house price from December 2020 - December 2021.
The ONS figures for December 2021 state that the average house price in the county was £293,623 so not far from breaking through the £300k barrier and joining Monmouthshire on the other side.
The popular towns of Penarth, Barry and Cowbridge can offer a thriving community with easy access to Cardiff, countryside and coast.
For maybe a smaller community, coastal spots like Llantwit Major, Sully, Southerndown and Ogmore-by-Sea are popular places to park your life near the sea.
For the quaintest of villages bursting with pretty period properties and modern gems, Vale of Glamorgan has an abundance from Llancarfan to St Hillary.
Days out could include socialising and shopping in the popular market town of Cowbridge, events at St Donats, walks along the Glamorgan Heritage coast or at Dyffryn Gardens.
2. Pembrokeshire
The county with a national park as its coast, the UK's smallest city and arguably the most recognised pretty coastal town has seen a 20.1% increase in house prices in the year December 2020 - December 2021.
The ONS figures for December 2021 state that the average house price in the county was £233,913.
There is a raft of reasons why this county is continually popular with house hunters, and has been lingering at the top of each monthly house price increase data release from the ONS.
Help with your hunt for a home here:
Miles of stunning, Blue Flag beaches to choose from that pepper the Pembrokeshire National Coastal Path and offer unspoilt seaside landscapes and opportunities to enjoy a variety of water based sports.
From the rugged and windy Newgale to the movie stars of Freshwater East and Freshwater West.
The county has many bustling towns such as the pretty pastel colour cloaked Tenby, the college town of Narberth and the centrally located Haverfordwest, as well as the huge port of Milford Haven and the historic Pembroke.
Plus there are oodles of villages in a rural setting or by the sea that ooze character and a more peaceful way of life, from Broad Haven to Roch, Newport to Fishguard.
History is plentiful, from ancient monoliths to the jewel of the county that is St David's Cathedral, plus enough castle ruins to fill your time, arguably the best being Pembroke.
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3. Ceredigion
The number one November 2021 property hot spot has slipped to number three in the December list but continues to experience price growth year-on-year.
The county has seen a 19.1% increase in house prices in the year December 2020 - December 2021 but this is a drop from the peak of 24.6% in November 2021.
The ONS figures for December 2021 state that the average house price in the county was £240,179 a drop from £247,529 in November 2021.
The county offers a coastline that stretches along Cardigan Bay and includes some pretty seaside spots such as the pretty and painted Georgian town of Aberaeron.
There's a rural landscape that includes rolling hilltops and wooded valleys, and thriving towns such as Lampeter and Aberystwyth.
As well as a choice of breath-taking and community centric locations to call home, the region can offer a huge range of properties, from bargain renovation projects to some of the finest homes in Wales.
Nigel Salmon, director of Fine and Country in west Wales, and specifically looking after Ceredigion, says: "This wild and wonderful area of Ceredigion is where my family and I have lived for 20 years.
"Smallholdings, country houses and lovely cottages are all in abundance in the area and people see the value of living, working and playing in this county."
Daniel Rees from estate agents Savills is from Ceredigion too and says: "Ceredigion has a stunning coastline and idyllic countryside. Improved transport connections and internet in the county mean people can both commute and work effectively from home while living in a beautiful part of Wales that offers a great quality of life."
James Skudder from Country Living Group estate agents is also a fan of the county, saying: "A trip to Ceredigion leaves a lasting memory.
"The coastline is simply incredible, the high streets are bustling and filled with local home grown shops, businesses and amenities, and for a buyer, the overall package is a huge attraction."
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