The springtime is traditionally a busy time for the property industry, as buyers approach the market keen to complete their onward purchase in time for the summer months.
Wilmslow is an affluent town set just 11 miles South of Manchester City Centre, popular with buyers primarily in the upper quartile of the market.
Although traditionally a haven for professional sportsmen and those employed in the media, competition for property in Wilmslow is still strong, especially so during the ‘spring rush.’
In this article, we’ll discuss what makes Wilmslow so appealing to buyers and examine how the property market is performing during March 2025.
Why is Wilmslow Popular with Property Buyers?
As one of Cheshire’s most prestigious regions, Wilmslow is a highly aspirational destination for buyers within the upper quartile of the market. Its prosperous nature makes the town popular with both wealthy homeowners and investors looking to sell or let to affluent clients.
Wilmslow benefits from all of the local amenities you’d expect from a bustling modern town, as well as a plethora of artisan stores and local eateries.
Handforth Dean Retail Park is only a short drive away, with popular brand chains including, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Next.
There is also a Total Fitness gym, representing one of the largest of its type in Europe.
Also within a stone’s throw of Wilmslow are the popular villages of Alderley Edge and Prestbury. Each of these picturesque villages offers a diverse mixture of property types, ranging from period cottages to bespoke ultra-contemporary homes.
Both Wilmslow and the surrounding area are ideal for scenic walks along the River Bollin towards Styal Village and Quarry Bank Mill. By having rolling rural scenery set just a short distance from Manchester, Wilmslow is ideal for families looking to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Further enhancing the town’s appeal for families is its close proximity to some of the country’s most exceptional schools, including The Ryleys School and Alderley Edge School for Girls.
Moving to Wilmslow
Wilmslow is unique in both its affluence and diversity of property options. It's a stunning destination where period homes and contemporary properties come together with equal grandeur.
It’s a popular destination for families with large, bespoke properties, proving equally popular in rental and residential configurations.
While the rental market has slowed considerably across the UK, Wilmslow is something of an exception to this rule.
Owing to the nature of their careers, sporting personalities and media workers often choose to rent rather than buy early on in their careers. Footballers, for example, tend to live in and frequent nearby Alderley Edge.
This has led to the area developing a thriving market for high-quality rental properties.
The popularity of rental property in Wilmslow is reflected by the fact that 21% of homes sold in the past 12 months were flats, with prices reaching as high as £1,250,000 (1).
The nearby village of Prestbury is regarded as one of the most expensive areas outside of London and is highly popular with wealthy buyers looking for a truly exclusive home.
The Property Market in Wilmslow
Due to its position as an upper-quartile destination, Wilmslow boasts a relatively small but wealthy property market.
Its affluence has shielded Wilmslow from stamp duty increases, which have driven a slight stall in buyer activity within the wider UK property market.
Likewise, changes in rental rules have had far less of an impact in wealthier markets where rents are reliable and properties of high quality are unlikely to fall afoul of new rules.
After a slight season slowdown in property enquiries after the New Year, we are now seeing an uptick in buyers approaching the market.
With demand remaining strong for both rental and residential properties across Wilmslow and the surrounding area, there’s every indication that spring will be a busy time for both buyers and sellers.
Wilmslow House Prices
According to the RICS Residential Market Survey March 2025 (2), the UK property market has slowed slightly in recent months.
House prices are reported to have levelled out across the UK, however, the good news for sellers in Wilmslow is that house prices continue to grow although at a slower rate than previously.
In the past 20 years, house prices in Wilmslow have grown by 77%, slowing to 17.3% in the past five years and just 0.4% in the past 12 months (Dataloft).
The average price of flats has fallen by 5.3% over the past year, however, demand remains strong for these properties from both professionals and investors. Competition for these homes is likely to be fierce over the coming months.
Over the last 12 months, the average sales price in Wilmslow was £396,084. Higher-value properties continue to perform well, with the highest value recorded by the Land Registry over the past 12 months being £1,250,000 for a flat and £6,600,000 for a house.
Selling in Wilmslow
Although interest in the region remains strong, sellers in Wilmslow can expect a more cautious approach from buyers.
Mortgage rates remain relatively stable, but with no indication of significant drops in interest rates on the horizon, the commitment to purchasing a new home is under increased scrutiny.
Local property enquiries are strong, however, we have seen a trend where buyers are requesting multiple viewings of properties before making a final decision.
The uncertainty in the market has instilled buyers with a feeling that they want to be sure they are making the right decision before committing to a purchase.
This is where Meller Braggins' unique position as a boutique estate agency comes into its own. We understand that every home is different and provide our clients with a fully bespoke service at every stage of selling their property.
By leveraging our personal service with highly targeted, professional marketing strategies, we can ensure that you find the right buyer for your home and achieve the best price.
We’ll handle everything from establishing the right pricing options for your property, marketing and even presenting your home in its best light during viewings.
Our bespoke service also extends to handling requests from buyers and ensuring that every aspect of a property sale is fully managed from both sides of the transaction.
With buyers approaching the market with greater caution, an estate agent you can rely on to make sure everything runs smoothly is more important than ever.
Contact Meller Braggins
Meller Braggins has been helping Cheshire residents buy and sell property since 1836. Whether you are buying or selling, renting, or looking for advice on your mortgage, our local experts Richard and Simon are ready and waiting to hear from you.
Sources
1 - Dataloft
2 - RICS March 2025 UK Residential Market Survey
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