Money management expert Motley Fool once run a paper that enumerated the best investments for our hard-earned savings on. In this study, “acquiring properties” emerged as the top form of investment. Property acquisition is indeed one of the safest bets one could make, however it’s far from being full-proofed. One needs to learn a lot about the area, banking trends, real-estate stability and more when selecting a property to invest on. This article from Halifax Estate Agents lists the property hotspots of 2008 after gathering figures and worldwide marketing trends, thus making the complicated job much easier.

House prices have risen by 179% over the past ten years from an average price of £70,000 in late 1997 to £195,000 today. Regionally, modest price growth is expected across southern England and in Scotland during 2008. Worsening affordability and weakening economies will cause a modest fall in prices in northern England and the midlands.

However, with the possibility of a slow year in house prices, Halifax has identified ten likely property ‘hotspots’ for 2008.

10 Towns with Anticipated Highest House Price Growth in 2008
1 – Lochgelly, Scotland
2 – Paisley, Scotland
3 – Greenock, Scotland
4 – Aberdeen, Scotland
5 – Hackney, London
6 – Chatham, South East
7 – Dartford, South East
8 – Liverpool, North West
9 – Newport, Wales
10 – Pontypool, Wales
Source:Halifax

Regionally, southern England and Scotland are likely to record the highest house price growth during 2008. Accordingly, many of the predicted property ‘hotspots’ for the year are in these parts of the country.

England
Parts of East London, such as Hackney, are likely to be one of the top house price performers in 2008 as regeneration ahead of the 2012 Olympics attracts buyers. House prices are also likely to be boosted in areas close to the planned Crossrail line in London. The project still requires the passing of a bill in parliament to provide permissions to build the line. This is expected to happen some time in 2008 and is unlikely to meet much resistance. The first trains are due to run in 2017.

Chatham and the other Medway towns in Kent are likely to record significant house price increases as demand is boosted by the planned opening of high-speed commuter services from central London to north and east Kent in late 2009.

Dartford and the surrounding area in Kent will also see a boost to its property market as a result of the recent opening of Ebbsfleet International railway station. The area is also near the Bluewater shopping centre. The station opened to the public on 19 November 2007, with up to four trains per hour in peak time between Ebbsfleet, Paris and Brussels. From December 2009 it will also have high-speed domestic services, with a 15 minute journey time to St Pancras.

Kent generally is likely to outperform the South East average, partly due to infrastructure improvements. Seaside towns in the county are also relatively affordable, which will tend to stimulate demand from the growing number of people looking to live near the coast.

In northern England, house prices in Liverpool are predicted to outperform most other areas as demand for property increases as a result of substantial investment in the city in the run-up to Liverpool becoming European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Scotland
Lochgelly, Paisley and Greenock are forecast to have the strongest house price growth in Scotland. These are all towns with a combination of lower than average house prices and good transport links into Glasgow or Edinburgh. As buyers hunt for bargains, towns recording the biggest price rises are likely to be close to major conurbations. Specifically, towns with house prices below regional averages are most likely to attract the attention of bargain hunters.

Aberdeenshire is likely to see continued property price growth next year, given the strength of the local economy and energy prices. Since North Sea oil was discovered in the early 1970s, Aberdeen has become one of the world’s major oil centres. House price performance in Aberdeen has tended to closely follow the crude oil price over the past 20 years.

Wales
Monmouthshire is expected to record above average price rises as demand is boosted by an increase in second home-buyers who are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable property in the Cotswolds. The area has good motorway links to major population centres and offers a mixture of good facilities and attractive countryside. Newport and Pontypool are predicted to record relatively high house price growth in 2008.