House sale prices across Worcestershire have risen by 6 per cent in the last year according to a local estate agent.

Nicol & Co have said the growth has been observed across the county over the last 12 months.

Transaction prices in the Malvern area remain the highest, with the average up 9 per cent to £290,500, Worcester up 6 per cent to £237,500, and Droitwich up 4 per cent to £273,500.

Matt Nicol, managing director of Nicol & Co, said the figures from the latest available Land Registry statistics for the year ending 31 July 2022 also reflected the post-pandemic market, with total sales across the county falling by 38 per cent to 3,757.

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Mr Nicol said: “The turmoil in the money markets and the disruption of energy supplies seemed to have stalled what was beginning to look like a return to a new normal after the pandemic.

“Tempting though it is to be flippant, with talk about how busy removal companies have been in Downing Street, we shall just have to wait and see as things unfold with a new leadership team.

“Concerns over energy costs are real and a great deal of attention is now focused on energy bills and this could well be the factor influencing more people to consider buying a new home.”

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Mr Nicol referenced the Property Academy Home Moving Trends Survey 2022, which revealed 51 per cent of home buyers would consider buying a new build and 17 per cent are looking only at new homes.

Two-thirds of those contemplating a new home purchase said they are attracted by the energy efficiency and lower running costs of new builds.

Mr Nicol said: “Five years ago, I established a specialist Land and New Homes department, which has grown to become an important part of our offer, supporting local developers, both in identifying land opportunities and marketing the finished product which we are currently doing across the county.”