The 10 best locations to buy a house now before mortage prices rocket

While the UK property market continues to adjust to changing economic conditions, several cities across the country are emerging as particularly strong locations for buyers, sellers and investors.

Steve Vanner, Purplebricks Sales Manager, said demand remains driven by a combination of economic growth, regeneration, strong employment sectors and relative affordability. The property expert said many markets outside London continue to outperform expectations. Exclusively for the Daily Express, Purplebricks' experts have listed their 10 top locations offering "some of the UK's most dynamic property markets" today. And in one place you could buy a property for under £150,000 if you're looking for a bargain.

Manchester has a real buzz about it at the moment, with rapid economic growth and major infrastructure investment, including an expanding tram network, according to Purplebricks.

Greater Manchester is home to three million people, with some 590,000 living in the City of Manchester.

The city is a magnet for young professionals - with MediaCity in Salford among its big draws - it also boasts excellent universities and a strong education sector with good secondary schools.

House Price Index data shows that the average price of a home in Manchester rose by £13,972 from December 2024 until December of last year.

The average home now sits at £257,630 - some £12,000 lower than the UK average of £270,000 - but £13,000 more than house prices in Manchester last year, which were £243,658.

So far this year, Purplebricks has sold 274 properties in the Manchester area, with the average sale taking just 74 days for it to be Sold Subject to Contract.

Lee Reynolds, Purplebricks national sales manager, said: "As the population of Manchester continues to steadily grow, this will continue to support both sales and rental in the area.

"If that keeps up as expected, Manchester will become one of the most resilient and consistent property markets outside of London."

For a long time, Bristol has struggled with a housing shortage that, when coupled with strong employment, continues to underpin long-term price growth in the city.

The city has a population of 495,000 residents who enjoy the laid-back living that is on offer in the South West of England.

Property prices in the city have had £408 knocked off the price tag, but the average home in Bristol still costs £353,265 - some £83,000 more than the UK average, according to HPI data.

In 2026, Purplebricks sold 102 properties in the Bristol area, with the average sale taking 81 days for it to be Sold Subject to Contract.

Jake Gready, Bristol Local Property Partner, thinks the city is one of the most dynamic property markets in the South West.

He said: "The thriving technology, aerospace and creative industries continue to attract professionals from across the UK, while major employers and two leading universities support a steady influx of residents each year.

"The city's balance between vibrant urban living and access to countryside and green spaces are a major factor behind its appeal.

"Areas such as Clifton, Redland and Bishopston remain particularly popular with families thanks to their proximity to highly regarded schools, parks and independent shops."

With the rolling Yorkshire Dales on the doorstep, Leeds offers a mix of idyllic scenes and bustling city living - so it more than earns its place among the top 10 places to invest.

The city has one of the UK's largest financial and legal hubs outside of London, no mean feat for a city with a population of under one million.

Plus, a significant city-centre regeneration will allow for 100,000 jobs to be created, generating £20 billion for the city, including a potential 13,000 homes in a 'new town'.

Much like Manchester, Leeds also benefits from a bustling student population, with three universities, including the University of Leeds, which ranks among the top 100 universities worldwide.

Despite this, property prices are still lower than in many areas of the south of the UK, creating a real opportunity for strong long-term growth.

Homes in Leeds have enjoyed the blossoming property sector in the city, with a healthy £7,910 being added to property prices over the last 12 months.

The average cost of a property in Leeds now sits at £246,293, closing in on the quarter of a million pound price tag - more than £23,000 less than the UK average.

This year, Purplebricks sold 145 properties in the Leeds area, with the average sale taking 86 days for it to be Sold Subject to Contract.

Cardiff has the strongest property market in the South Wales region, according to Purplebricks.

With more than 380,000 people calling the Welsh capital their home, there is plenty of room for expansion across the city.

Growth in Cardiff is hardly a surprise given the ever-expanding employment sectors and the major regeneration projects across both the city centre and Cardiff Bay.

Coupled with the strong academic sector, including three universities, Cardiff is enjoying strong price growth with forecasts predicting it will only get stronger in the coming years.

Homes across Cardiff have, on average, now moved above £270,000 thanks to the £6,405 increase, according to the latest HPI data.

A property in the Welsh capital now costs £271,273, marginally above the UK average of £270,000.

Matthew Beale, Local Property Partner covering Cardiff, says the Welsh capital continues to build momentum as one of the most attractive places to buy property in South Wales.

He said: "As the political, economic and cultural centre of Wales, Cardiff benefits from a diverse employment base, strong universities and a steadily growing population.

"In areas such as Pontcanna, Cyncoed and Lisvane, where buyers are drawn to highly regarded schools, green spaces and easy access to the city centre, demand is always high."

Oxford boasts one of the world's leading universities with more than 30,000 students, as well as major science and technology employment hubs.

The overall population of Oxford is just 166,000, but that could expand as many future homeowners look to make the move to the world-famous city.

The area has experienced a long-term housing shortage as supply cannot meet demand from students renting flats and families looking to make the area their permanent home.

Property prices across Oxford rose by just over £4,000 from December 2024 to December 2025, according to HPI data.

The total amount of £4,161 accumulated over the last 12 months meant that the average home in the city has risen to £480,531 - more than £210,000 above the UK average.

Warrington is an industrial town in Cheshire that benefits from being between the two major northern cities, Manchester and Liverpool.

Warrington, with a population of 215,391, is a commuter hotspot thanks to housing prices being cheaper than those in the two big cities.

With excellent connections across the North, both by road and rail, it is little surprise that there has been significant new family housing developments built in Warrington.

Warrington enjoyed one of the biggest rises of the last 12 months, with £14,245 being added to house prices as demand grew.

The average home in Warrington now costs £251,903, nearly £20,000 below the UK average, and slightly cheaper than the Manchester average of £257,630.

Lee Reynolds, Purplebricks National Sales Manager, believes this is why the area has been identified as one of England's markets with strong growth potential.

He said: "Warrington, much like several areas in Cheshire, is sandwiched between two major cities, and that allows for the area to be very attractive both to families and young professionals.

"Property prices are cheaper on average in Warrington, but it is still in Cheshire and close enough to both Manchester and Liverpool to allow for easy commutes to work or to enjoy the nightlife.

"In many ways, it is the perfect place to buy if you're looking to put down roots in the North of England."

Northampton is another commuter town that benefits from its proximity to a big city - in this case, London.

It is currently home to 253,499 people, but that is expected to increase over the next decade.

The town has seen rapid population growth from commuters opting for a quieter family life outside the UK capital.

And, with the rising population, businesses have followed, with some serious business and logistics investments in the city in recent years.

An increase of £8,363 over the last 12 months ensured that property in Northampton continued to be affordable but profitable for sellers.

Homes in the city average £294,010 - nearly £25,000 above most UK homes - following the price increase from December 2024 to December 2025, according to the House Price Index.

So close to London, this affordability ensures that there is a strong long-term appeal for buyers for many years to come, according to Purplebricks.

Liverpool has seen massive regeneration in the last few years, with Everton Football Club moving to the Bramley Moore Docks, which has dovetailed with other major waterfront developments.

Home to more than 508,000 people in the city and a bustling 1.5 million in the Liverpool City Region, it is little wonder Liverpool is going from strength to strength.

The city also offers impressive retail opportunities at the Royal Albert Dock, just an eight-minute walk from the football stadium.

A proud northern city with a strong cultural reputation, as well as universities popular with students from across the UK, ensures Liverpool's property market is thriving.

The city has one of the largest and most active rental markets in the UK, ensuring that there is value for everyone in the city.

Liverpool properties have had a good year, with over £16,000 added to the average price tag, increasing the average home from £168,755 in December 2024 to £184,804 last December.

Purplebricks has sold 518 properties in the Liverpool area, with the average sale taking 73 days for it to be Sold Subject to Contract.

Lee Reynolds, Purplebricks National Sales Manager, believes that this rental market is one of the keys to ensuring that the property market in Liverpool continues a positive trajectory.

He said: "With wonderful redevelopments down at the Albert Docks alongside the building of the new football stadium at Bramley Moore, Liverpool is a city that is making the most of its waterfront.

"The cultural reputation of Liverpudlians is one that many people enjoy and want to experience for themselves, with some loving it so much that they opt to buy or rent in Liverpool.

"Investors continue to be attracted to Liverpool due to the strong rental demand in the area and forecasts which predict promising house growth."

Stoke-on-Trent has become an emerging market for property, and those looking for a bargain.

The area is significantly cheaper than nearby cities, including Manchester and Birmingham, leading to some 270,425 people calling the area their home.

It is the world capital for ceramics, but has begun to experience regeneration across the city as Stoke embraces its well-known past, as well as its promising future.

With close transport links to both the North and Midlands, Stoke can be the perfect commuter home for families, students and property portfolio owners.

As more investment is given to the city, the affordability of homes will help position Stoke-on-Trent as a market with exceptional future growth potential.

Property prices in Stoke-on-Trent also offer good value for money, with the average property still under £150,000, according to the House Price Index.

This was despite another increase of £4,082 over the 12 months to December 2025, with homes on average now costing £147,831.

Since January, Purplebricks has sold as many as 125 properties in the Stoke-on-Trent area, with a sale averaging at 74 days for it to be Sold Subject to Contract.

Newcastle upon Tyne offers culture, value for money, education and sport at a premium, making it one of the best places to think about investing in a home.

The Tyneside city has two universities where thousands of students take their studies, with many opting to stay after their degree.

Newcastle is home to 320,600 people, with the wider Metro area exceeding 829,000, ensuring that there is demand for property all across the city.

With Newcastle being in the North East of England, the city offers some of the best value possible for a major UK city.

Newcastle has a growing economic profile with investments being made, as well as a bustling cultural scene.

And for those who like to have options on their weekend, Newcastle sits perfectly on the LNER line between Edinburgh and London, offering families and workers plenty of options for where they want to work or spend their weekends.

Newcastle homes saw a £11,902 increase over the 12 months until December 2025. The average property in the city is £207,936 on average according to the House Price Index.

Lee Reynolds, Purplebricks National Sales Manager, said: "Newcastle upon Tyne is a wonderful city that offers plenty to people looking to call it home.

"From the people to the culture, the sporting side or the good food and drink, Newcastle is a prosperous city, and one we expect will experience serious growth, well above average, in the coming years.

"Many buyers will be looking at Newcastle currently before the growth happens, and it could be a case of right place, right time as prices could begin to skyrocket in the coming years."

Across the UK, Purplebricks said some of the strongest percentage price growth is expected in more affordable regions such as the North West, Midlands and Wales, where buyers are increasingly seeking better value for money.

However, southern markets continue to demonstrate long-term resilience, supported by strong local economies, international investment, and a persistent shortage of housing supply.

Cities such as Bristol and Oxford remain highly desirable thanks to their employment opportunities, lifestyle offerings, and world-class education sectors, ensuring that demand remains consistently strong.

Overall, most forecasts suggest modest national house price growth of around one to three per cent annually in the short term, with particularly strong performance in cities that combine economic growth, population expansion and limited housing supply.

Steve Vanner, Purplebricks Sales Manager for the South, said: "While affordability is driving strong momentum in some northern and midland markets, the South continues to benefit from exceptional demand fundamentals.

"Strong employment centres, world-class universities and an ongoing shortage of housing mean many southern markets remain highly resilient and attractive for both homeowners and investors.

"What we're increasingly seeing is a multi-speed UK market - where affordability is fuelling growth in some regions, while established southern cities continue to provide stability, demand and long-term confidence."