Average house prices surged by tens of thousands of pounds in this part of the region
The areas with biggest house price increases have been named.(Image: bpm)
A town in the West Midlands saw the second highest surge in house prices in the whole of England this year.
Values in Stafford jumped by over £34,000 on average over the last 12 months, latest figures showed.
It was the only area in the West Midlands to make the national top 10 list.
READ MORE: New cameras at Midlands M5 junction to punish drivers over rule many don’t understand
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp
It worked out to an average 12% rise in the Staffordshire town, where the average house price now sits at £321,248.
It was a much bigger rise than many other parts of the country, while property values fell in some areas.
Only Plymouth in Devon saw a bigger increase than Stafford at 12.6%, data released by Lloyds Bank showed.
The town also bucked the overall West Midlands trend.
An average 1.3% rise put our region towards the bottom of the list, with only the North East, South East and London worse off.
It was bad news for Solihull and Worcester, which suffered some of the worst drops in the country.
Get our local newsletters like Black Country News, MySolihull and MySuttonColdfield straight to your inbox
They were in fourth and fifth on the national list.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: “Our customers’ dream homes are found in pockets around the UK and we’ve supported thousands of people to take their next home buying step this year – whether they’re getting on the ladder for the first time or moving up.
“We’ve seen significant change in property values with some areas rising sharply, while others have cooled.
“If you’ve got your heart set on a particular location, it’s worth taking time out to do some research and see what’s happening with prices there, as swings in value at a local level can make a big difference to how much you may need for a deposit, Stamp Duty or wider moving costs.
“If you’re open to exploring, you might find places where your money goes further.
“Northern regions and Scotland are still generally more affordable than the south of England, with a huge amount to offer in terms of culture and history, alongside some of the most beautiful parts of the UK countryside.
“While house prices play a role, choosing where to live is also about finding a place that feels right – a community you connect with, a commute that works for you, and a lifestyle that fits you.”