County house sales 'improving'

More than 1,400 homes were sold in Shropshire from July to the end of September at an average price of £194,295, figures released today by the Land Registry reveal.

Properties in parts of the SY8 postcode are the most expensive in the county with homes in that area, which includes the town of Ludlow, selling for an average of £565,046 during the three-month period.

The most popular areas for house sales were the TF10 and TF4 areas, which include Newport, Lilleshall and Dawley, with almost 100 houses sold in those two postcodes alone.

The figures paint an improving picture in the county, with 80 more homes sold in 2010 than in the corresponding three months of 2009.

Foden Property Director Duncan Scobie, based in Newport, said the number of sales recorded during the period reflected an improving county market.

"I have seen a noticeable upturn in the last 12 months and people are now becoming more and more used to the market and the conditions," he said.

"What continues to draw people into this area will never change.

"We have some excellent schools, are situated in a nice part of the world and have great commuter links - especially to the West Midlands.

"Hopefully we will continue to see a rise in home sales over the next 12 months."

• Calling all county first time buyers. The Shropshire Star wants to hear from you. Whether you’ve just moved into your first house or are struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, we want to hear your story as we turn the spotlight on the county property scene. Are house prices in the area too high? Is enough being done by mortgage lenders to help you on your way?

• Contact Alex James in our Editorial department on 01952 241448 or e-mail ajames@shropshirestar.co.uk

In the Shropshire postcode area 892 homes were sold at an average price of £217,129.

Meanwhile, in the Telford district, 507 homes were shifted at an average price of £171,461.

Meanwhile, people living in the TF7 area, which includes parts of Madeley and Sutton Hill, saw an average house sale price of just £88,315 with only three homes sold.

In the Shropshire area the cheapest place to buy a house is in the SY20 area, which includes Machynlleth, where four houses were sold at an average of £98,875.

Meanwhile, the most popular Shropshire postcodes were parts of SY8 including property on the outskirts of Ludlow, and the SY4 area north of Shrewsbury, which includes Bomere Heath and parts of Wem where nearly 80 homes were sold over the three months.

Each postcode was split into further regional areas determined by the land registry.

Snapshot of county sales

• Average house price in Shropshire postcode: £217,129

• Average house price in Telford & Wrekin postcode: £171,461

• Number of homes that have been sold in Shropshire postcode: 892

• Number of homes sold in Telford & Wrekin postcode: 507

Postcode Sales Average House Price

• SY13 30 £164,666

• SY14 3 £561,666

• SY8 4 £565,046

• SY5 4 £446,250

• SY8 37 £189,742

• TF4 47 £143,430

• TF7 3 £88,315

• TF13 9 £318,661

• TF9 23 £222,367

By Alex James