HOUSE prices are on the up in Basildon - with estate agents insisting it is because the area is “an attractive place to live”.

Figures from Land Registry show the average Basildon house price in September was £322,610 – a 1.5 per cent increase on August.

Owners of detached houses saw the biggest improvement in property prices in Basildon – increasing 2.2 per cent, to £587,927 on average.

Over the last year, prices rose by 5.3 per cent.

Mickey Brennan of estate agents Haart, in Southernhay, Basildon says lockdown and Brexit have not dampened the market.

He said: “House prices have been growing regardless even with Covid-19 and Brexit and since 2014.

“I think part of this is that Basildon is an attractive area due to the amenities and transport links and it’s a diverse area.

“People can get better value for money and can get into London quickly and we’re seeing buyers coming from London.

“I am not surprised by these figures from Land Registry. We sold 28 homes last month so activity is there and there is high demand.

“People are thinking about needing space due to Covid and working from home or having extra space for the kids too.”

Figures also show buyers paid 5.5 per cent more than the average price in the east of England - £306,000 - in September for a property in Basildon.

Across the east of England, property prices are high compared to those across the UK, where the average cost £245,000.

Over the last year, the average sale price of property in Basildon rose by £13,000 – putting the area 13th among the east of England’s 47 local authorities for annual growth.

Mr Brennan added: “People are also taking advantage of of the stamp duty changes too, there are a handful or reasons why prices are going up.

“I some people who work close to London and do not need to commute due to working from home are coming out a bit further.”

Land Registry figures show first-time buyers in Basildon spent an average of £273,500 on their property – £9,600 more than a year ago and £61,200 more than in September 2015.

By comparison, former owner-occupiers paid £373,500 on average in September – 36.6 per cent more than first-time buyers.