Hey there, property enthusiasts and potential homeowners! Ever wonder what’s really going on with the housing market in one of the UK’s most exciting cities? Well, you’re in luck! We’re diving deep into Manchester’s property market mid-year review for 2025 to uncover what the numbers really mean for you, whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest.
Manchester vs. The Rest: Why Our City is a Property Powerhouse
Let’s get straight to the good news! Leading property experts at JLL have crunched the numbers, and guess what? Manchester is predicted to be the second strongest city for house price growth in the UK all the way up to 2028!
We’re talking about an anticipated 19.3% increase in sales prices for Manchester, according to JLL. To put that into perspective, the national property price growth is expected to be around 17.6%. So, Manchester isn’t just keeping up; we’re actually ahead of the national average! This makes Manchester property investment a seriously hot topic.
Hotspots to Watch: Where to Invest in Greater Manchester
TThinking about diving into the Manchester property scene? Keep a close eye on these two Greater Manchester boroughs:
Salford: This place is buzzing! With massive regeneration projects transforming the area, Salford has become a magnet for media and creative arts industries, largely thanks to the iconic MediaCity. This means Salford property is seeing a huge surge in demand, making it an excellent spot for long-term growth.
Oldham: Looking for something a bit more affordable but still with great potential? Oldham property is your answer! It’s seen significant annual house price growth, yet you can still snag properties at an average selling price of around £195,000 (as of May 2024). That’s a 4.2% increase from last year, proving its strong upward trajectory.
And for those with a bit more capital aiming for premium property investments, Manchester City Centre buy-to-let properties continue to be goldmines. We’re talking serious returns, with apartment rental prices in the city core jumping by a whopping 12.3% in just the past year according to the latest ONS data! This highlights the strong demand for city centre apartments Manchester.
Stamp Duty Changes: What You Need to Know
You might remember a bit of a buzz around stamp duty changes recently. From April 1st, two key thresholds were reduced:
The 0% stamp duty threshold dropped from £250,000 to £125,000.
For first-time buyers, the threshold reduced from £425,000 to £300,000.
The BBC reported today (01/07/2025) UK house prices saw their sharpest monthly decline in over two years this June, with a 0.8% drop according to mortgage lender Nationwide. This marks the biggest monthly fall since February 2023 and is likely a result of weaker demand following changes to stamp duty rules introduced in April. Despite this monthly dip, prices were still up 2.1% compared to a year ago, although this represents the slowest annual growth rate in nearly 12 months.
Nationwide remains cautiously optimistic about the months ahead, expecting housing market activity to pick up. Chief economist Robert Gardner highlighted several supportive factors for potential buyers, including low unemployment, wage growth continuing to outpace inflation, and the possibility of lower borrowing costs if the Bank of England further reduces interest rates.
The April 2025 stamp duty changes significantly altered the playing field for buyers in England and Northern Ireland. The tax-free threshold dropped from £250,000 to £125,000, while first-time buyers now begin paying stamp duty on homes costing more than £300,000, down from the previous £425,000 threshold. These changes may have temporarily boosted prices earlier in the year, but are now contributing to a short-term market adjustment.
What’s Next for Manchester House Prices?
Industry experts are optimistic! They predict that house prices will continue to increase throughout 2025. Nathan Emerson, Chief Executive of Propertymark, shared his thoughts: “Hopefully this month-on-month dip is only temporary. The spring and summer months normally spur on a flurry in housing activity, especially at a time when there are many competitive mortgage deals out there right now as a result of the reduction in interest rates last year.”
So, if you’re thinking about investing in Manchester property or finding your dream home, now could be a fantastic time to jump in! With strong growth predictions and a dynamic market, Manchester continues to be a top choice for property success.
Ready to explore your options in the Manchester property market? Or perhaps you have questions about specific areas like Salford or Oldham? Call us on 0161 681 2371 or www.cousins.co.uk
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Aron Iwanier
The firms director and driving force is ARLA qualified and has been involved in all aspects of the UK property market since 2001. With a specialist interest in investment and commercial property Aron is finely tuned to the needs of the astute investor, and is able to lend a guiding hand to both the landlord and seller. In his spare time he enjoys walking in the country with his family.
