Wait until you hear this: right now in CB23, owning a terraced house has actually resulted in higher capital growth over the last seven years than almost any other type of home. It sounds backwards, doesn't it? You’d think the massive detached houses with the sweeping driveways would be the clear winners, but the smaller, humble homes are the ones showing the most significant performance this August.
The Tug-of-War for Your Wallet
Did you know that the Bank of England (who set the Base Rate at 3.75% lately) are essentially the ones influencing the current levels of market activity in Hardwick? Because it costs a bit more to borrow money from the bank than it did a few years ago, we are seeing a shift in housing supply and demand. People who were looking at big detached houses are now considering semi-detached ones. People who wanted a semi are looking at terraces. This "stepping down" has led to lower stock levels for smaller houses in CB23, making them incredibly popular.
The Price Tag Shuffle
If you walked into an estate agent today, here is the current choice for buyers regarding "asking prices" (the initial valuation a seller puts on their home):
- Detached Houses: £637,453
- Semi-Detached: £440,948
- Terraced Houses: £376,932
- Flats: £236,198
Think of it this way: the gap between a flat and a terraced house is about £140,000. That’s not just a bit of extra space; in our part of the world, that represents the opportunity to secure a proper garden and a private front door. Consequently, there is significant competition for sellers of these specific property types.
The 7-Year Surprise
Here is the bit that will make you spill your tea. Over the last seven years, if you bought a semi-detached house in CB23 4, it has grown in value by £104,271. If you bought a terraced house, it’s gone up by £83,492.
Compare that to a flat, which has only grown by £37,466 in the same time. While the national conversation focuses on "inflation" (the rising cost of everyday goods), property owners in Caldecote and Toft have seen their assets grow much faster than the price of a weekly shop. The reason? High demand for green space. Since the world changed a few years ago, the preference for home offices and gardens has meant houses are in much shorter supply relative to flats.
Why is this happening now?
Nationally, about 58,200 people are getting their mortgages approved every month. That’s a significant amount of market activity. Even though prices across the UK are only growing by about 2.4%, our little pocket of CB23 4 feels much more constrained in terms of available stock.
Because average wages are growing by about 3.5%, buyers have a little more to spend on a mortgage. However, because lending criteria remain strict, the "best value" right now is definitely the terraced house. It represents the "Goldilocks" of property—offering manageable maintenance costs while providing enough space for a growing family.
Matt’s Advice for August 2026
- If you own a flat: This is an excellent time to provide stock for first-time buyers and use that equity to move into a house while market activity is steady.
- If you own a detached home: You are sitting on a valuable asset, but remember that the pool of buyers who can afford £630k is smaller than it used to be. High-quality presentation will help you stand out against the competition for sellers in this bracket.
- If you are buying: Look at the terraced homes in places like Dry Drayton. They currently offer the best balance of growth and everyday living space within the current housing supply.
Looking ahead to the next year, I expect the "middle" of the market—those three-bedroom semis and terraces—to see the highest levels of competition. As long as the Bank of England keeps things steady, we’re going to see more families entering the CB23 4 market to secure that village lifestyle.