Recent research from Rightmove has highlighted an interesting shift in the property market: some of the strongest house price growth is happening in areas where property values are still relatively affordable.
According to the latest figures, towns across Scotland and the north of England dominated the list of fastest-rising locations in 2025.
Hawick saw the biggest annual increase, with average asking prices rising by 18%. Durham followed with a 15% increase, while Stannington recorded 12% growth.
This reflects something many buyers are already noticing: areas that still offer better value are attracting more attention, especially where buyers are being priced out of larger cities.
Across the 50 fastest-growing towns, the average property price was £270,711 — significantly below the current UK national average of £368,031. In fact, most of the locations on the list remain below the national average, which suggests buyers are increasingly looking beyond traditional hotspots in search of affordability and long-term value.
For buyers, this matters because rising prices in lower-cost areas can affect affordability quite quickly. A property that feels comfortably within budget today can move out of reach if local prices continue rising while mortgage rates and lender affordability remain tight.
It also means that acting early, understanding your borrowing position properly, and having a mortgage agreed in principle can make a real difference when competition increases in growing areas.
For anyone buying in the North East, including areas around North Tyneside, local pricing can still vary significantly from one postcode to the next, even when the wider market appears strong.
As always, headline price growth tells part of the story — but lender criteria, deposit size, monthly affordability, and future plans still matter just as much when choosing the right mortgage.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
