Property market hotspots for 2008 - continued

› Continued from previous page

6. East Midlands: Stamford, Lincolnshire

Historical character and charm, successfully retained through its special conservation status, continues to draw people to Stamford and its surrounding stone villages - average prices here have risen by 18%, despite the region experiencing one of the lowest levels of price growth. Proximity to the A1 offers easy access to London and the North, making it a popular commuter choice.

7. Wales: Rhondda Cynon Taf

While prices in Wales overall are likely to fall in 2008, the outlook is more promising in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where improved railway links have made the area more accessible to Cardiff and the rest of South Wales. A new station at Llanharan opened in December 2007, the first phase of a project aiming to update and extend all rail services in the area. Expect stronger levels of property activity here.

8. Yorkshire and Humberside: Castleford

The outlook is good for this former mining town, centre of a major community regeneration project. Work started in 2003 with £100,000 from Channel 4, and has since attracted another £12 million in investment. The project includes a new bridge, updating the town centre, extra green space and improving local neighbourhoods.

Look out for the Channel 4 television series in 2008, which has followed the work taking place and will be sure to spark interest in the area.

9. North West: Liverpool

The buzz and interest around Liverpool as 2008's European Capital of Culture should guarantee a strong year for property in the city. Described as "the rocket fuel that is propelling Liverpool's economy", the accolade is attracting significant investment into the city.

Merseyside is also home to the most affordable location for first-time buyers. According to Halifax, average prices in Bootle are just 3.4 times higher than the average first-time buyer income - compared to 13.1 times higher in Henley-on-Thames, the least affordable town.

10. North East: Newcastle and Gateshead Quays

The fashionable Newcastle and Gateshead quayside continues to attract attention to the area, and development continues in 2008. A new college campus and entertainment is planned for open, while Baltic Quay and St Ann's Quay provide new housing options in the area.

11. Scotland: Aberdeen

The strength of the ecomony in this major oil centre should continue to have a positive effect on the property market here. According to Halifax, "house price performance in Aberdeen has tended to closely follow the crude oil price over the past 20 years".

With property prices below average in Scotland as a whole, the country should perform better than other regions of the UK in 2008.

Help