A hotspot for desirable homes
DURING the past year, the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns have meant so many people have had to stay at home for long periods of time.
A consequence of this is that for many of us, how we view our homes has changed.
Speak to most estate agents and they will tell you the market is currently extremely busy with people looking at their changed or future property priorities and hunting for a new home accordingly.
Moves that some people could envisage happening years in the future are happening now, with people moving up and down the property ladder and first-time buyers being tempted to take that first step.
The hunt for holiday homes is as hot as ever, although with working from home now becoming even more popular many people are packing up for their hideaway near the coast or rural retreat earlier than planned and deciding to live there permanently.
But this is the case for every area of Wales, so what makes Swansea and its surrounding area, including Llanelli, so special that it has the most appearances in Zoopla’s most-viewed online properties list?
To celebrate National Home Buying Week, the property portal has revealed the 10 mostviewed properties online.
Topped by a £1m fivebed home in Reading and including a £30m 10-bed Surrey mansion and a £75,000 one-bed flat in Hereford, Swansea has smashed it with the most appearances of anywhere else in the UK – three.
The homes in and around Swansea are all under £200,000 and one has been snapped up already.
The property near Llanelli, which is the overall most popular in Wales, is currently on the market for £350,000.
Chris Hope, director of Fine and Country Swansea and Dawsons, says: “This area is currently reasonably priced and has all the amenities close by, but maybe the biggest advantage is that the gorgeous beaches of Gower peninsula, areas that add to the quality of life, are just a 20-minute drive away.
“A driving force that makes this area so popular too is that there is a great deal of choice of property and range of prices, all within a relatively small geographical area. Within a five-mile radius you can access the city centre, the sea front and the countryside and can still find a home that suits your needs and your budget.
“If one area is too expensive, in the Swansea and Llanelli area, you can find somewhere close by that is within your budget and yet still enjoy the same access to amenities and beautiful local destinations.
“At the moment we are seeing huge demand from buyers who are going up and down the property ladder and whatever their circumstances, they are finding options to suit them in this area.” 1. Near Llanelli, £350,000: The most viewed property in Wales has been revealed as this converted chapel in Yr Allt near Llangennech.
It appears in the Ukwide list at number four, beaten only by properties in Reading, Hereford and the Isle of Bute.
The pretty property was originally constructed in 1850 according to the estate agent and converted into this unique residence in 1988.
From the balcony, patio or attractive pergola, the sweeping views of the Carmarthenshire countryside have surely been one of the top reasons why this particular home has been virtually viewed on Zoopla so many times.
A bonus in the delightful garden is a summer house with electric light and power socket, which could be made into the perfect home office space.
Inside, the home has four ground floor bedrooms, two with ensuites, and a mezzanine lounge area that opens directly out onto the balcony.
The current owners have loved living at the property for the past 32 years and this is only the second time the chapel has been on the market.
Location, space, views, price; this might be your winning combination for your next home move.
The chapel is on the market for £350,000 with estate agent Davies Craddock, call them on 01554 778899 to find out more.
2. Treboeth, Swansea:
Maybe the pandemic and numerous lockdowns have given people time to think about forging ahead with their renovation dreams.
If you’ve been itching to find a period property at a good price that will also test the DIY skills, then maybe this former vicarage in the suburb of Treboeth in the Mynyddbach ward of Swansea is ideal?
This substantial four bed detached home in need of a makeover is the second most viewed Welsh property on Zoopla, and fifth in the UK overall.
The house sits on a good sized plot and offers a new owner three reception rooms and a kitchen on the ground floor.
There are four bedrooms and a bathroom with separate toilet on the first floor, so plenty of work to keep you busy, including sanding back those gorgeous period parquet floors.
The former vicarage is on the market for £179,950 with Astleys Residential, call them at their Swansea branch on 01792 655891 for further details. 3. Waunarlwydd, Swansea: Good location for Swansea city centre and Gower, according to the estate agent, means this detached period property is the third most popular online in Wales and number seven on the UK list.
The family home has two reception rooms and kitchen downstairs and three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.
Inside the period property can still boast some of its original features, including a tiled fireplace.
Outside, the garden has a playhouse sure to be popular with kids of all ages, flanked by majestic trees at the end that create a countryside feel as well as provide privacy.
But arguably the biggest bonus for this house is the outbuilding in the garden.
The estate agent states that this extra building is currently allocated to storage at one end and the other half (measuring approximately 4.5m x 2.7m) is a teenager room.
With a few small changes this garden building would make an ideal home office, gym or even fully converted into a granny annexe.
The house with the garden room is for sale for £189,950, call the Killay branch of Dawsons on 01792 298014 for further details. 4. Fforestfach, Swansea: This suburban district north of Swansea centre was developed during the Victorian era as part of the expansion of the city.
The end of terrace period property is the fourth most viewed property in Wales and tenth on the UK list but has already been sold, subject to contract.
It was on the market for offers over £100,000 with the Swansea branch of Peter Alan.
Although inside it was in need of some modernisation, outside it came with a huge garden in relation to the size of the property.
Vast is what some people would say when looking at the garden size for an end of terrace threebed home. So when a new owner turns up there will be a decision to make – start the renovations inside first or mow that ginormous lawn, as both activities could take the same amount of time; well, maybe.