Record level of new-build homes sold by Bidwells in Cambridge this year

A staggering £300m worth of new-build homes have been sold in Cambridge by Bidwells this year.

 

The record-level figure represents the sale of some 700 properties and the prices ranged from £200,000 to £1.6m.

It is an increase of some £50m compared to Bidwells 2013 figures and represents a market share of around 65pc of all new homes sold in and around the City.

David Bentley, Bidwells' Cambridge Head of New Homes, said the bumper sales are mainly down to an increase in supply as more major new housing developments open up around the City.

However suggestions that all the properties are being snapped up by overseas investors, appear to be unfounded. Research has found that there has been a healthy balance between sales to owner-occupiers and investors.

Snapshot figures for the new Great Kneighton project show that 45pc of buyers were from Cambridge, 45pc are UK-based and just 10pc are from foreign shores.

Speaking about Cambridge's success Mr Bentley said: "It would seem the rise of the owner-occupier is upon us, as the much-needed supply of housing has provided a welcome alternative to the limited supply of those classic Cambridge streets. It does appear modern contemporary living has been fully embraced.

"With the global appeal of the Cambridge brand, it is not surprising we attract interest from all four corners of the globe, but the reality is, whilst we receive the benefits of overseas money, our buyers are more local than you would expect."

The new Great Kneighton development on the Southern fringe has been a key contributor to the high sales figures, with 200 homes sold by Bidwells in this year alone.

When complete there will be some 2,550 new homes on the Countryside development - along with schools, community facilities, park land and play areas.

And with other new major developments in the pipeline for 2015 including Darwin Green and the North West Cambridge Project, it should prove another stunning year for new homes in the ever-growing City.

It is expected that these new homes, like Great Kneighton, will be mainly filled with owner-occupiers or key workers, availing the fears that overseas investors are snapping up all the properties.

David added: "More than 80pc of our larger new housing stock on Great Kneighton has been purchased by owner-occupiers, although the profile pendulum does swing the other way when we review the sales of our apartment blocks.

"Whilst not as high as the central developments our percentage swing calls 60/40 in favour of investors for apartments.

"As continued pressure has mounted on those central apartment developments due to the restriction in supply many have turned to the fringe schemes as a more affordable alternative.

"But where owner-occupiers are, Cambridge investors are not far behind - as proven with the smaller housing stock at Great Kneighton which has seen a 50/50 split between the two.

"However it is great to see communities starting to evolve in the fringe developments, and this will progress further over the coming years as these key developments really start to take shape and become neighbourhoods and family homes."


About Bidwells

Established 175 years ago, today Bidwells is one of the UK's leading property consultancies. We employ almost 500 people in 12 offices across England and Scotland and provide a full range of services across the Commercial, Residential and Rural sectors.


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For press information please contact:
Kate Straker 01223 559347 kate.straker@bidwells.co.uk
Julie Bushell 01223 559331 julie.bushell@bidwells.co.uk

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