What can £250,000 buy in each region of England?
The housing market is very busy right now. Demand is at a record high, with more people searching for homes on Rightmove than ever before.
This is a positive sign, especially if you’re selling your home, because it shows the market is strong.
Part of this increased activity is a result of the extension of the stamp duty holiday, which means that home purchases below £250,000 in England are exempt from the tax until 30 September 2021.
So, we’ve looked in every region to see what you can buy on a budget of £250,000. Luckily, we came across many homes that we think are great finds.
We know that in the last 12 months many home-movers are looking for properties which will provide more space – including access to gardens or with room for a home office – so we have tried to include houses with at least three bedrooms and gardens, when possible.
Here’s what we found.
North East
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £152,034
Asking prices in the North East have increased on average by 5.4% in the last year. After the North West, it’s the region that has seen the biggest price change in England.
This terraced townhouse in the West End of Darlington jumped out at us as soon as we looked at the interior.
It’s just recently been fully renovated, and it looks spectacular. Evidently the current owners put a lot of thought into the project, because aside from making it look stylish, they managed to adapt the design and incorporate two brand new en-suites with showers.
With four large double bedrooms, brand new bathrooms and kitchen, and a striking interior design, we think this home could be amazing value for its price.
Have a closer look at the property below:
Carver Residential, Darlington
North West
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £193,357
This is the region that has seen the biggest price change in the UK – up by 7.3% in 12 months.
The property we’ve chosen here is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of the town of Leyland.
It’s modern – only built in 2018 – and appears to be in an exceptionally good condition.
With four double bedrooms, a large kitchen/diner, lounge, separate dining area, and a lovely garden with a seating area and pergola, this home ticks a lot of boxes.
And there’s a garage – you must know by now that we love our garages here at Rightmove. They will always come in handy.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Yorkshire and the Humber
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £188,538
Prices are up by 2.8% compared to a year ago in this region. This may not seem like a huge increase compared to other regions, but historically this would be considered a very significant and fast rise.
We came across a rather unique home near the village of Scampston, in North Yorkshire. It resembles a Scandi-style hunting lodge in the middle of the woods.
The open-plan design is roomy and stylish. It’s modern, but it’s wooden exterior blends in seamlessly with the surrounding nature.
Because of its location, this could be perfect as a home for someone seeking a quieter lifestyle in the countryside, or as a holiday home to escape to.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Rounthwaite & Woodhead, Malton
West Midlands
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £218,545
Average property price has gone up in West Midlands by 3.8% since February 2020. It’s also one of the regions where it takes the least time to find a buyer – 65 days, on average.
Available within our budget is this sizeable home in Maypole, Birmingham.
One of the reasons Maypole is a popular area is because of the school catchments it’s in, so this could make for a great family home.
The kitchen has just been refitted so that’s quite a bonus, and actually the entire place looks pretty fresh and new.
The driveway could easily fit four cars, and the garden looks lush with a variety of trees and plants. And of course, the conservatory is a big plus in our books.
We quite like that there’s a wood burner in the dining area. There are radiators that run from the central heating, but it’s nice to have the option of lighting a fire even if just for the cosy effect.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Dixons, Kings Heath
East Midlands
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £211,814
With a 3.2% year-on-year increase in house prices, East Midlands is another fast-selling region, taking 65 days on average to find a buyer.
If you’re one of the many people who are looking to move to a semi-rural area as a result of lockdown, you might love this home in Mablethorpe.
It used to be a railway gatehouse and has been transformed into this quaint three-bedroom cottage.
We think the floorplan is interesting, with the double-glazed conservatory connecting the main house to the garage – which has been converted into what could be an ideal office space.
The house is just a few short minutes from the beach and surrounded by nature, so you’d be spoiled for choice of places to go for walks.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Choice Properties, Sutton-on-Sea
East of England
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £327,130
Demand in this region remains high, which is why it’s one of the most expensive regions in the UK – third, after London and the South East. Prices here have increased by 3.1% since February 2020.
There are still many great options within our budget, though – like this semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Norwich.
The rooms look bright and inviting; the kitchen and dining room are generous in size, and the large windows and sliding glass French doors leading to the garden make the place look even bigger.
This property was only built in 2019, so it’s in an immaculate condition and still covered by the NHBC warranty, which offers some extra peace of mind.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Abbotts, Wymondham
South East
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £372,655
Prices in the South East went up modestly compared to most parts of the UK, by 2.6%. But then this is the most expensive region in the country, following London.
Check out this end of terrace in Deal, a very desirable coastal town in Kent.
It’s in great condition and has just recently been refurbished to impressive standards. The oak flooring is beautiful. For a house of this style, it’s surprisingly spacious.
It’s got a fully integrated kitchen with all the fitted appliances, including a dishwasher and fridge-freezer.
The garden is not huge, but it’s big enough to host a BBQ for a group of friends. And besides, the seaside is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Miles & Barr, Deal
South West
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £291,861
The South West continues to be a popular region – prices have gone up by 3.4% in the last year.
In Somerset, about half an hour away from the seaside, in the popular town of Street, we found this lovely three-bed terraced house that’s just within budget.
It’s got an attractive and modern feel to it.
The three bedrooms are spacious, and from what we can tell, every room has large windows or glass doors which let loads of natural light in, making the entire place look bright and roomy.
Well worth mentioning are the two balconies, a garage, a decent garden, and plenty of green spaces in the surrounding areas.
Take a closer look at the property below:
Allen & Harris, Wells
London
Average asking price of 3-bedroom properties: £644,648
London is the only region that has experienced a drop in asking prices in the last year. But even at 1.1% lower than a year ago, London’s average price is still well over twice the national average.
So with a budget below £250,000, we have found a contemporary two-bedroom flat in Croydon, South London.
It has two good-sized bedrooms, a slick bathroom, and a great-looking open-plan kitchen and living room.
As part of the deal you also get access to the roof terrace and a residents’ lounge.
The flat is a short walk away from East Croydon and West Croydon train stations – so you could be in central London in no time.
