EMOOV

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS INDEX

Q4, 2015

INTRODUCTION

The latest Property Hotspots Index, produced by eMoov.co.uk, records the change in supply and demand for the

most populated locations across the UK, by monitoring the total number of properties sold in comparison to those

on sale.

National property demand remained static during Q4 of 2015 (41%), showing no movement from Q3. However over

the course of last year, demand for property across the nation increased by +14% overall.

SUMMARY

• National property demand remained static in Q4 (41%), but is up +14% over 2015

• The London Borough of Hounslow saw the biggest increase from Q3, with demand up +50%

• Bedford makes the top 10 hotspots for the fi rst time, with demand at 67%

• Cambridge (75%) climbs fi ve spots, now the second hottest spot in the UK • The North West enjoyed some of the biggest increases in property demand during 2015

• Leicester has enjoyed the second highest increase since Q3 (+43%) and the third highest year on year (+62%)

“2016 will see demand for central

London property continue to decline, as

the exodus of buyers to outer boroughs

and commuter zones continues.

Bedford making the top 10 for the fi rst

time highlights this, as people are pushed

further out to fi nd a� ordable homes.

Bristol would be our one to watch for

2016. It has consistently ranked in the top

10 and held its own against the London

bubble, all with an average house price

half that of the capital’s.”

Russell QuirkFounder and CEO of eMoov.co.ukPROPERTY HOTSPOTS, Q4, 2015

– HIGHEST CLIMBERS

The London Borough of Hounslow

enjoyed the biggest growth in demand

between Q3 and Q4 of 2015. With

demand up +50% and an average

house price marginally over £300,000,

the borough looks set to continue

this upward trend, with prices having

increases by 12% already over the

course of 2015.

The likely factors behind this increase

are almost certainly the ongoing

infrastructural and economic

developments in the borough.

Hounslow is due to profi t thanks to

its close proximity to the Crossrail

development and the delayed decision

of the third runway at Heathrow, which

should also see property demand

revived for the immediate future.

Camden also enjoyed an increase

in demand towards the end of 2015

(+15%), this said it is still a far cry

from 2014, taking the 10th spot for

the biggest decrease year on year

(-8%). Despite being home to one of

the most expensive average London

house prices, demand for property in

Richmond upon Thames has also seen

an increase, up +17% since Q3.

Leicester seems to be enjoying

more than its football team’s current

Premiership form, with property

demand up +43% over the quarter

and +62% year on year, it’s the second

highest climber since Q3 and the third

during 2015 overall. So it would seem

whilst Vardy was on course to break a

Premier League scoring record, property

demand in the city was enjoying a similar

run of form.

The North West also remains fairly

buoyant with the Wirral (+36%), Wigan

(+15%) and Oldham (+14%) all making the

top 10 highest climbers since Q3.

There is a glimmer of hope for an

otherwise poor performing North East,

with Northumberland seeing an increase

of +20% despite making the top 10

coldest spots, joined by North Tyneside

(+17%).

EMOOV - PROPERTY HOTSPOTS INDEX Q4, 2015

Throughout 2015 the North West

has enjoyed the biggest increase

in property demand, with half of

the year’s biggest climbers located

in the region (Sefton +89%, Bolton

+63%, Wirral +58%, Rochdale +45%

and Tra� ord +44%)

Demand in Leicester is up +62%

in 2015 making it the year’s third

highest climber.

North Lanarkshire (+59%) provides

hope for a declining Scottish market

as the fourth highest climber, with

Hounslow as the only London

borough (+43%). Dudley (+44%) and

Birmingham (+40%) complete the

top 10, as the two representatives

from the Midlands.

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS, 2015 - YoY HIGHEST CLIMBERS

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS, Q4 2015 – TOP 10 HOTTEST SPOTS

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS, Q42015 – TOP 10 HOTTEST SPOTS

London’s outer boroughs and commuter belt remained hot in Q4. Bexley is

once again the most in demand property location in the UK, with demand still

at 79%. To the east of the capital, Havering (71%) and Barking and Dagenham

(69%) also rank highly, joined by Hillingdon (66%) to the west and Sutton (66%)

to the south.

Each of the boroughs making the top 10 hotspots currently o� er an average

house price below the London average. However as the capital’s outer

boroughs continue to grow in demand, these fi ve will be the ones to watch in

2016, where an increase in prices is concerned.

As property in the commuter belt continues to increase in demand, Cambridge

(75%) climbs from seventh to the second hottest spot in the country. Watford

(71%) and Guildford (65%) both retain their top 10 status and are joined for the

fi rst time by Bedford, where demand is currently at 67%.

Bedford may seem too far from the capital to be classed as commutable for

some, but a high speed rail link of under 40 minutes to St Pancras makes it a

realistic option for many, highlighting the growing expansion of the London

commuter belt for the average homebuyer.

Bristol remains the only area outside the South East to clinch a place in the

top 10. With demand at 74% it retains its title as the third hottest spot in the

country, with demand consistently strong throughout 2015.

The continuing development of Bristol airport is no doubt a factor in the city’s

increasing property demand, with one terminal expansion already complete

and another one due to be this year, the airport has seen passenger footfall

increase by 4.8 million people in 17 years.

EMOOV - PROPERTY HOTSPOTS INDEX Q4, 2015

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS, Q4, 2015- BIGGEST FALLERS

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS, 2015- YoY BIGGEST FALLERS

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS, Q4, 2015- BOTTOM 10 COLDEST SPOTS

Unfortunately for those involved, the

coldest spots in the UK continue to

tell a familiar story. Aberdeen was the

coldest spot in the UK for the second

consecutive index with demand at

just 10%, also joined by Highland

(17%).

The North East continues to

experience low demand for property

with Stockton-On-Tees (13%),

Sunderland (14%), Gateshead (18%),

Northumberland (18%) and Durham

(19%) all in the top 10 coldest spots.

The Royal Borough of Kensington

and Chelsea is joined by Westminster

as London’s only entries to the top 10

coldest spots, with property demand

in both boroughs at 16%.

During the last quarter of 2015 the

largest drops in demand were, for

the large part, felt across the North.

With a drop of -30%, Bradford was

Q4’s biggest faller, joined in second

place by nearby Huddersfi eld (-29%).

Leeds completes the group of

biggest fallers at the heart of the

North, with demand down (-20%).

The North East accounts for three of

the top 10 biggest fallers in Stockton-

On-Tees (-28%), Sunderland (-22%)

and Hull (-19%).

Despite healthy demand being felt in

much of the North West, Sefton has

also experienced one of the largest

drops in demand since Q3 (-23%).

However it ranks as the top highest

climber over the course of 2015,

with demand soaring since Q4 of

2014.

An inkling perhaps that demand is

levelling out as house prices in the

North West catch up, with Sefton

enjoying an increase of 7% in the

average house price over the last

year.

The top 10 biggest fallers are

completed by Walsall (-24%), South

Lanarkshire (-21%) and Swansea

(-18%) as the sole entries from the

Midlands, Scotland and Wales.

The ongoing decline of oil prices

has hit the Scottish economy hard,

resulting in a knock on e� ect to

property demand, particularly in

Aberdeen.

No surprise then that once again

it is not only the coldest spot for

property demand at present, but

Aberdeen has also seen the largest

drop during 2015, with demand

plummeting -31%.

Stockton-On-Tees has su� ered the

second largest drop in property

demand, down -22% over the

course of 2015. Oxford has also

paid the price for its title of ‘most

una� ordable spot in the UK’, with

demand tumbling -21%.

Shropshire and Gateshead complete

the top fi ve biggest fallers with

demand down -19% over the year.

Southwark (-10%), Wandsworth

(-9%) and Camden (-8%) account

for London’s contribution to the

year’s biggest fallers.

Each borough boasts an average house price considerably higher than the London average, but it would seem they’re paying the price as a result, with large reductions in property demand across each borough.

The year’s biggest fallers are completed by Durham (-15%) and Walsall (-9%).

EMOOV - PROPERTY HOTSPOTS INDEX Q4, 2015

EMOOV RESEARCH INDICES

EMOOV

eMoov’s National Hotspots Index: eMoov’s National Hotspots Index

is a study of 100 of the most populated areas in the UK, analysing

them based on their current demand for property and change over

the course of the year.

Prime Central London Hotspots: eMoov’s Prime Central London

Hotspots Index is a study of London’s most prestigious boroughs and

the demand for housing in these locations, as well as the change over

time.

eMoov’s Tube Hotspots Index: eMoov’s Tube Hotspots Index is

a study of all of the London Underground stops across the tube

network, analysing them based on current demand levels and their

change over the course of the year.

eMoov’s Schools Performance & Property Price Index: eMoov’s

Schools and Property Price Index is a study of the most a� ordable

locations in the UK, that also o� er a high level of state schooling.

eMoov’s University Property Index: eMoov’s University Property Index

is a study of the UK’s best universities in relation to the a� ordability of

housing surrounding the main campus, highlighting the best areas in

the UK to invest in a uni-let property.

Founder and CEO of eMoov:

Russell Quirk

Russell founded eMoov in

2010. He regularly quotes

for the media on property

and regularly features

on both TV and radio, to

discuss industry new.

Director of Media:

Stephen Jury

Stephen heads up the media

and business intelligence

team, to provide leading

market analyst for the

property sector.

PR and Content Exec:

James Lockett

James manages content

production for the media

team, including press,

community and insight

projects.

Research Manager:

Ben Banks

Ben produces research and

insight, as well as market

analysis from the property

sector

eMoov is the UK’s leading online estate agent having sold over 5,000 properties right across the nation.

On average eMoov customers save £4,200, in comparison the high street.

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NOTE CONTACT

Data sourced and collated by property listings across all of the major property portals.

Demand is determined by percentage of properties sold, refl ecting the demand and inventory in area.

Where a percentage is given it relates to the Q4 demand percentage.

Where a percentage is given with either a + or -, it refers to the change in demand since Q3.

0333 121 4950press@emoov.co.uk@emoov