The top property investment hotspots revealed

Bradford has solidified its position as the nation’s most sought-after property market, maintaining its lead for the third investment index report, according to OnTheMarket.

It says the city topped the Hotspots Index from May to July, following its dominance in the prior two reports covering November 2024 to January 2025 and February to April.

The index measures buyer interest by comparing the number of available properties for sale over three months with the level of online engagement, generating a score that reflects market activity.

Bradford’s consistent ranking highlights its appeal, driven by vibrant communities and competitive property prices.

Regional investment divide

The firm’s president, Jason Tebb, said: “Once again, the north/south divide is holding firm, with the top of the list dominated by some of the most vibrant and best-value locations in the north of England, where we find the most heat in terms of activity.

“Conversely, at the foot of the table the southern seaside towns with comparatively higher average property values are to be found, such as Worthing, Southend-on-Sea and Bournemouth.”

He added: “Despite five interest rate reductions in the past year, along with many lenders easing their criteria, the continued high cost of living means affordability is still a concern for many.

“As a result, buyers are favouring those locations where their money will go further.”

Other places for investors

Coventry emerged as a significant climber, soaring from ninth to second place, fuelled by a surge in buyer enquiries.

Stoke-on-Trent also made a notable entry into the top 10, advancing from 12th to ninth.

Meanwhile, Barnsley slipped out of the top tier, falling to 15th from its previous tenth position.

Other northern cities, including Burnley, Liverpool and Newcastle, secured spots in the top five, underscoring the region’s dominance in the market.

Southern areas struggle

In contrast, southern coastal areas struggled, with Brighton labelled as the least active market, trading places with Southend-on-Sea, which climbed three spots.

Bristol also saw a decline, dropping eight places to enter the bottom 10 for the first time.

Other significant shifts included Luton, which rose to 11th from 22nd, Southampton, which jumped to 16th from 25th, and Slough, which leapt to 20th from 36th.

Oxford also saw increased interest, moving to 17th from 30th, while Swindon fell to 34th from 20th.

In London, the property market showed stability, with Barking and Dagenham overtaking the City of London to claim the top spot among boroughs.

The top 10 London boroughs remain unchanged, though rankings shifted slightly as Lambeth continued to lag, recording the lowest activity levels for the third consecutive period.