SOUTH EAST

While average property prices in the South East remain far higher than the national average, they have levelled off somewhat during the last two years. Between 2012 and 2013, prices in the area rose by just 0.3%. However, as the property market in Greater London continues to overheat, you should expect the market in the South East to follow suit – as people look for more affordable accommodation inthe commuter belts.

One of the most buoyant housing markets in the region is Slough, which has experienced a recent surge in demand for detached and semi-detached homes during the last two years. Windsor and Maidenhead currently boast the high-est average property prices in the region – a figure that stood at more than £450,000 in June 2013.

property guide

Average rise of property prices of 12.2%

Average property price - £337,000[ONS - 2014]

Surrey is also a current property hotspot, with the towns of Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Rei-gate showing significant increases in property prices since 2010. Other areas where buying a house is particularly expensive at the moment are Buckinghamshire (particularly Chiltern), Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Bracknell Forest. West Sussex, Hampshire and Essex have ex-perienced a levelling off of house prices, and the cost of living in Southend on Sea has plum-meted by more than 5% since 2011.

If you are buying a house on a limited budget, Southampton, Portsmouth and Luton all have average house prices of below £180,000.

Southampton, Portsmouth and Luton good for buyers on a

budget