August 25, 2024
Properties in West Yorkshire are amongst the 20% for lowest prices in England and Wales, while areas of west yorkshire are regularly mentioned as some of the best places to live in the UK, with Ilkley topping the Times list in 2022, and Leeds named as the North and Northeast region’s best place to live in 2024.
This guide will cover some of the most affordable housing options in the region, and explain what to look out for when bagging a bargain.
Affordable Housing in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire can be a very affordable region, surrounded by the lush nature of the Pennine hills and the Aire valley, and home to the UK’s best-paying city outside London.
In 2024, house prices in West Yorkshire averaged £231,715, around 25% less than the national average for England.
Featured Listings: Houses Under the Average Price
Property 1 – St. Georges Road, Barnsley, S70
- Location: Barnsley
- Description: Two-bed, one-bath period property with a garden near the town centre.
- Price: £100,000 (just 43% of the average house price in West Yorkshire and 35% of the average house price nationally).
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Property 2 – High Street, Clayton West, HD8
- Location: Clayton West
- Description: Three-bedroom period stone-built character cottage with exposed beams, Yorkshire stone flooring and a vaulted ceiling dining-kitchen to the lower ground floor.
- Price: £170,000 (just 73% of the average house price in West Yorkshire and 59% of the average house price nationally).
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Property 3 -Finthorpe Lane, Almondbury, HD5
- Location: Almondbury, Huddersfield
- Description: A grade II listed two-bed, one-bath end-terrace cottage with generous gardens, a small orchard and views across the valley.
- Price: : £225,000 (97% of the average house price in West Yorkshire and still only 78% of the average house price nationally).
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Additional Properties
- Two double-bedroom character cottage, Holmfirth (£210,000)
- Two-bedroom period cottage with panoramic views, Kirkburton (£200,000)
- Two-bedroom duplex within a period conversion, Netherfield (£185,000)
- Two-bedroom mill-conversion character cottage, Longwood (£160,000)
- Two-bedroom purpose-built apartment, Lindley (£120,000)
Why Consider Affordable Homes in West Yorkshire?
With the cost of living rising and buyers more strapped for cash than ever, an affordable home can be a way to get onto the property ladder whilst keeping your expenses manageable. For investors, affordable properties make for a less-risky investment.
Benefits of Buying Below the Average Price
Properties may be priced lower than the average in the area for a number of reasons. They may be smaller or in more disrepair than other properties, or the seller may simply be looking for a quick sale.
There are several benefits to buying a property below the average price.
Financial Flexibility
If you are looking for your first or next home, seeking an affordable property can stretch your deposit further and lower your mortgage payments. In the long run, buying a property at below the average price is likely to result in higher profit from the sale when it comes time to move on.
Equally, if you are looking for a property to invest in — either to sell on for a profit or to rent out — affordable homes have a much higher potential for return on your investment.
Opportunity for Customization
Given affordable homes likelihood to be in a less-desirable condition than their higher-priced counterparts, and the savings you are making on the initial investments, buying below average price also opens the door to opportunity to renovation and customisation.
For homebuyers, this means you can essentially develop your dream home in a more affordable property, while investors may have more funds available for renovating .
Advantages of Living in West Yorkshire
As Yorkshire’s local estate agent we might be biased, but we truly believe West Yorkshire is one of the best places to live.
Community and Lifestyle
It’s no secret that Yorkshire folk are some of the friendliest you’ll meet, but what else does the region have to offer?
West Yorkshire is rich in historical and heritage sites (like Saltaire and Howarth), as well as having a vibrant cultural sector. Access arts spaces like Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Hepworth, and the Henry Moore Institute, institutions like Opera North and Northern Ballet, and a wealth of other museums, galleries and theatres.
Of course, as a Northern economic powerhouse , Leeds is one of the major cities outside of London. Leeds city centre is busy and modern, with plenty of shopping, a dynamic nightlife, and a thriving food and drinks scene, as well as three universities — And the region typically has a lower cost of living than other areas of the UK.
If buzzing cities, charming towns, and a thriving cultural sector aren’t quite your thing, living in West Yorkshire also gives you access to the great outdoors. West Yorkshire is surrounded by three national parks, the Dales, Yorkshire moors, and the Heritage Coastline.
Accessibility
As well as Leeds, West Yorkshire encompasses the cities of Bradford and Wakefield.
West Yorkshire is well-connected by road and rail to other major cities — London is just two hours away from Leeds by train. The other Northern powerhouse cities (Hull, Manchester, Liverpool,Sheffield, and Newcastle) are all easily accessible too, thanks to the region’s central location in the country.
Leeds Bradford Airport services West Yorkshire with flights to countries across Europe, North America and Asia.
Conclusion
West Yorkshire is one of the most affordable regions of the UK, with relatively low property prices and cost of living. The region also has a thriving economy, vibrant cultural sector, and many areas of great natural beauty.
Affordable housing can be a first step onto the property ladder, or a way to maximise your investment, but finding properties under the average price can be a challenge — unless you have access to the insider knowledge of a local estate agent.
Browse our properties or make an enquiry today for more personalised assistance.