Revealed: the most popular places to buy a home in 2021

Rural and coastal areas saw the best rise in demand from buyers in 2021, being an increasing number of people looked to swap the city for that country.

New data from Rightmove implies that the idyllic capital of scotland- Bruton in Somerset saw the biggest increase in searches from buyers this past year, while Welwyn in Hertfordshire saw the largest increase in sales agreed.

Here, we check out the most in-demand areas to buy a house and explain how what buyers are searching for within an area has changed since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Biggest increases in buyer searches

Following the lockdown last spring, the home market returned to life with a bang following a government’s announcement of the temporary stamp duty holiday in July.

Rightmove says this tax break saw interest at home buyers skyrocket, with appointments with its website passing eight million for the first time at the time the cut was announced.

The below five areas saw the biggest rise in searches from prospective buyers in 2021.

1. Bruton (Somerset) – 72% increase

The Somerset town of Bruton saw the largest increase in interest from buyers, with searches for properties rising by 72% in 2021.

The town made national news in July when former Chancellor George Osborne bought a five-bedroom listed property there for lb1.6m.

Bruton has been referred to as ‘the brand new Notting Hill’ by British Vogue and has house prices to complement.

The average price in the South Somerset local authority is about lb245,000, but four-bedroom homes in Bruton are listed for approximately lb700,000 to lb1.1m.

2. Pitlochry (Perthshire) – 50% increase

The Victorian town of Pitlochry was second within the list – having a 50% rise in searches in 2021.

Pitlochry is situated around 25 miles north of Perth. It’s a popular position for hillwalking holidays and it has a remarkable 13th-century castle since it's focal point.

Average house prices in the Perth and Kinross area remain lb200,000, but a family home in Pitlochry will probably set you back in excess of lb400,000.

3. Aylesford (Kent) – 48% increase

Aylesford in Kent saw a 48% rise in traffic in 2021, being named as one of the best countryside areas to maneuver to in a survey by CompareMyMove.

The village is placed on the River Medway around four miles from Maidstone and is known for its community atmosphere and ideal restaurants.

Average house prices in Tonbridge and Malling are around lb380,000, but a family home in Aylesford can cost you in excess of lb500,000.

4. Salcombe (Devon) – 48% increase

Salcombe is one of the most widely used coastal towns in Devon, having a picture-postcard harbour, unblemished beaches and award-winning restaurants.

A four-bedroom home in the town is likely to set you back around lb700,000, but expect to pay seven figures for any property with a sea view.

5.Lightwater (Surrey) – 46% increase

The village of Lightwater in Surrey has long been one of the most popular countryside locations for buyers.

A 46% development in search numbers in 2021 reflects buyers looking to move to smaller communities but remain within commuting distance of London.

A four-bedroom property within the village will probably cost you in the region of lb600,000.

Top 10 areas with biggest increase in searches

Biggest increases in sales agreed

Rightmove also tracked the areas with the biggest increases in sales agreed in 2021 and found that seven from the 10 areas using the biggest rises had populations of under 10,000.

Welwyn in Hertfordshire topped the charts having a 75% increase in sales, accompanied by Woodbridge in Suffolk (69%) and Llanelli in Wales (65%)

Stockbridge in Hampshire (60%) and Malmesbury in Wiltshire (54%) also made the very best five.

Top 10 biggest increases in sales agreed

Biggest house price rises

When it came to house price rises, suburban areas in the North West of England saw the biggest growth.

Eccles in Greater Manchester saw the largest annual increase in asking prices – using its 16% growth far outstripping the national average of 6%.

Wavertree in Merseyside (12%), Chadderton and Middleton in Greater Manchester (11%) and Sowerby in West Yorkshire (11%) all made the top five.

The five top towns for asking-price increases all had prices below the national average.

Top 10 biggest increases internally prices

How buyer priorities have changed since COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak led to people spending more time in your own home, which continues to be reflected in how priorities have changed.

Homebuyers are increasingly seeking to areas where they can enjoy a higher quality of life, albeit with the ability to still commute to the office at the appropriate interval.

The stamp duty cut provides the largest boost for those purchasing more expensive properties – the biggest savings of lb15,000 can be found on homes costing lb500,000.

Glynis Frew of Hunters Auctions says: ‘2021 gave people time to reset and reprioritise, concentrating on lifestyle. From the better work-life balance to the requirement for outside space, we have a renewed sense of what matters to all of us.

‘For some, this means finally making that dream rural or coastal move, safe knowing they can work remotely for the majority of time. For all those in certain digital-led industries, the possibilities are almost limitless – a great wi-fi connection is they require.’

Finding the best place to live: top tips

If you’re considering moving home in 2021, it’s vital that you do your research to obtain the right position for you.

As a starting point, here are a few items to consider when comparing areas.

1. Transport connections and traffic

Transport can produce a huge difference for your standard of living. If you don’t drive, you’ll need to find out how frequent (and crowded) the local trains and buses are.

This is especially essential in a commuter town. The further away you reside from the city, the cheaper house prices may be, but this saving could be eaten up by higher fares and longer, more frustrating commutes.

Popular areas can also fall victim to traffic jam, especially during peak times, so visit an area at different times during the your day to see whether this can be an issue.

2. Schools and catchment areas

The areas with the best schools will usually have higher house prices to match.

If you have (or are planning to have) children, you need to research the catchment areas for the best local schools in your local authority’s website.

A word of warning – school boundaries can alter in one year to another, so double-check for those who have a specific school in mind.

3. Shops and facilities

You may be thinking of escaping the city and moving to some more province, but will it fit your lifestyle?

For example, check for local restaurants if you enjoy eating at restaurants regularly, or gyms if you want to exercise.

Also check the local services – would you easily get to the bank or perhaps a doctor’s surgery?

4. Neighbours and community

Before making an offer on the property, ensure you’re equipped with all the facts.

If you can, spend time chatting to potential future neighbours. They could be in a position to let you know about any previous difficulties with the property and give you a look into the local community.

You could also check with the council to see if there have been any complaints made on that street.

5. Environment and air quality

Being downwind of sewage works, or having hordes of holidaymakers passing your front window during summertime can change a perfect location into a nightmare, so speak with locals about whether there’s whatever you should know before making an offer.

Air pollution can also impact your health, check whether the rentals are on or near a busy road with lots of traffic. You'll find polluting of the environment forecasts on the government’s UK Air website.