From lawyers to deposits and mortgage approvals, buying a home can be a stressful process.
But on top of all that, those looking to buy a home in 2022 have an extra hurdle to overcome. Since pandemic restrictions ended, the housing market has become significantly more competitive – with the number of buyers fighting for homes increasing in one area above all others.
Chorlton saw the biggest rise in buyer competitiveness over the last year, according to Rightmove. Buyer competition in the south Manchester suburb has increased by 138 per cent, with the average asking price now standing at £355,306.
The leafy suburb boasts a wealth of independent shops and cafes both in and around Chorlton Cross and along Beech Road. By night, visitors come from across the city to drink craft beers in the the area’s bustling bars.
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Across Manchester, properties stay on the market for an average of 20 days. Other popular areas include Didsbury, which came in second, followed by Withington, Wythenshawe and Ashton-under-Lyne.
But how can buyers get an advantage over the competition? According to Rightmove, estate agents are saying that “those who have already found a buyer for their current property, subject to contract – are more likely to succeed in securing the property they really want.”
The areas where competition to buy a home is most intense in Greater Manchester:
Location |
Increase in buyer competition |
Average asking price |
Asking price yoy change |
Chorlton Cum Hardy |
138% |
£355,306 |
6% |
Didsbury |
104% |
£398,158 |
10% |
Withington |
102% |
£339,121 |
7% |
Wythenshawe |
86% |
£216,004 |
12% |
Ashton-Under-Lyne |
76% |
£175,449 |
8% |
Burnage |
75% |
£267,926 |
9% |
Stockport |
74% |
£281,470 |
12% |
Longsight |
72% |
£200,891 |
11% |
Timperley |
71% |
£410,124 |
11% |
Levenshulme |
70% |
£217,986 |
7% |
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