Property prices in St Helens experienced a 1% decrease in May, bringing the average house price down to £180,694. This decrease contrasts with the overall trend in the North West, where house prices rose by 0.9% in the same period.

Despite the recent dip, the long-term outlook for St Helens’ property market remains positive. Over the past year, house prices in the area have actually increased by 0.1%. This means the average homeowner in St Helens has seen a gain of £110 on their property’s value in just 12 months.

First-Time Buyers Still Facing Higher Costs

However, it’s not all rosy for everyone. First-time buyers in St Helens are still facing a challenging market. The average price they paid for a property in May was £162,260, a significant leap of £260 compared to the previous year.

Price Variations Across Property Types

The price dip in May wasn’t uniform across all property types:

• Terraced houses: Experienced the most significant decrease, with prices dropping by 1.2% to an average of £140,165.
• Detached houses: Decreased by 0.9% to an average of £296,586.
• Semi-detached houses: Fell by 1% to an average of £188,370.
• Flats: Showed a decrease of 0.9% to an average of £102,805.

St Helens vs. the Rest of the North West

The average house price in St Helens is notably lower than the North West average of £218,000. In fact, buyers in St Helens enjoyed a 16.9% discount compared to the regional average. However, when compared to the UK’s average house price of £285,000, St Helens remains a more affordable location.

Property Hotspots: Trafford Tops the Charts

For those seeking the priciest properties in the North West, look no further than Trafford. The average house price there is a staggering £373,000 – that’s more than double the average price in St Helens.

Key Figures:

Area	Average House Price (May)	Annual Growth
St Helens	£180,694	+0.1%
North West	£217,525	+2.9%
UK	£285,201	+2.2%

Highest Annual Growth in the North West: Cheshire East (+10.9%)

Lowest Annual Growth in the North West: Burnley (-4.2%)