Kent towns among biggest winners in house price rise stakes
Three Kent towns are among the top areas in the UK for house
price rises, new figures reveal.
Rochester saw the third highest increase in the country this
year, with only Southend and Basingstoke notching up higher
percentage rises.
Homes in the town are 13.3% more expensive to buy than in
2011, at an average of £184,908.
Dartford came in fifth in the Halifax price survey, showing
a 13% upsurge in prices, with the average property in the London
border town setting you back £209,557.
Gillingham took eighth place in the UK, with a more than 12%
increase in the value of homes there.
All the top five towns were in commuter distance from the
capital, with the majority of the worst performing towns lying
outside the south.
Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said: "Nationally,
conditions in the housing market have been largely unchanged over
the past 12
months with little overall movement in either house prices or sales
for the second consecutive year.
"This picture, however, conceals considerable local
differences.
"A number of towns and cities have recorded significant changes
in house prices over the past 12 months.
"Several towns within easy commuting distance of the capital
feature in the list of top performers, whilst the majority of towns
that have fared worst in house price terms are outside southern
England, where economic conditions have generally been less
favourable."
He said he expected general stability in house prices
nationally next year, with the north/south divide continuing.
27/12/12
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