Top Ten UK Property Hot Spots

The top ten fastest rising property hot spots are all in Northern Ireland, recent research from The Halifax reveals.

In its regional house price survey looking at 489 UK towns, the bank finds the largest growth in house prices was in the towns of Craigavon and Newtownards, which saw property values up 55 per cent in a year.

The average price of a Craigavon property over the first three months of 2006 was £118,551. This figure now stands at £183,795 for 2007. In Newtownards average prices have risen from £127,590 to £197,134 over the same period.

The survey also reveals the cheapest town to buy a home in the UK is Lochgelly in Fife where house prices have reached an average of £104,738.

In England, the Halifax research shows a north-south divide emerging, prices rises accelerating in south-east, south-west and London and price rises slowing in northern England.

Top ten fastest rising UK property hotspots

Town	County	2006 Q1 Average Price (£'s)	2007 Q1 Average Price (£'s)	% change
Craigavon	County Armagh	118,551	183,795	55%
Newtownards	County Down	127,590	197,134	55%
Newry	County Down	141,157	214,706	52%
Larne	County Antrim	100,449	150,277	50%
Newtownabbey	County Antrim	111,236	163,296	47%
Armagh	County Armagh	125,610	180,392	44%
Downpatrick	County Down	142,644	204,807	44%
Belfast	County Antrim	132,195	184,579	40%
Antrim	County Antrim	127,961	177,860	39%
Lisburn	County Antrim	145,600	202,311	39%