CREWE'S vibrant property market is defying reports of a national slowdown, confirming the town's position as one of the UK's housing hotspots.
Figures released this week by online estate agents rightmove.co.uk show that prices in Crewe have risen by 16% in the 12 months from May 2004, despite a survey from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors suggesting house sales are down by a third on this time last year.
And even though the figures might alarm those concerned with the plight of first-time buyers struggling to get on the property ladder, another survey from estate agent group Home Sale Network claims that first-time buyers have increased their share of the market by 2.5% in the first quarter of 2005.
But Andrew McGarrigle, of Crewe estate agents McGarrigle & Co, warned that figures do not tell the whole story of what has been a 'difficult' year for the industry, although he also said he was confident about the healthy state of the market in South Cheshire.
He said: 'I think generalised percentage rises can be dangerous. We, for example, are currently very busy at the lower end of the market but relatively slow when it comes to higher-priced properties.
'To suggest that all prices are going up by the same amount in Crewe could be detrimental to key areas of our business.
'But overall there is no doubt we are seeing the signs of 'green shoots' in the housing market in time for the onset of summer.'
Mr McGarrigle admitted that continued price increases had caused problems for first-time buyers, but argued that prices in Crewe were still low enough for an attractive and competitive market to flourish.
He said: 'If you can afford a house anywhere you can afford one in Crewe. It is still the cheapest place to buy in Cheshire.
'In the past it hasn't been viable to build flats in Crewe because of the low prices they could command, but the council have got some good ideas in terms of development policy and the booming market would help flats sell at a good price.'
Figures show that demand is still out-stripping supply across the UK, and the average price of a three-bedroomed semi in the North West has risen by 13% in the last year to £174,183.
