The £67,360 Jump: Why Your Heavitree or Royton Doorstep Might Be Worth More Than You Think — May 2026
If the OL2 5 property market were a school sports day, the semi-detached houses wouldn’t just be winning the race; they’d be doing it while carrying a tray of drinks without spilling a drop! While everyone watches the national news to see if prices are going up or down, the real magic is happening in the "gap" between the different types of homes right here in our neighbourhood.
Here is a bold thought for you: by this time next year, I bet the smallest homes in OL2 5 will actually be the hardest ones to buy. Why? Because the bank bosses in London have kept interest rates at 3.75%, making it a bit more expensive to borrow money. This means people who once wanted a big detached house are now looking at semi-detached ones instead, pushing those prices up faster than anything else.
Let’s look at the price tags in OL2 5 right now. If you want a terraced home—maybe something like the lovely one that recently sold on Richmond Avenue—you’re looking at around £176,664. But if you want to step up to a semi-detached, the price jumps to £244,024. That £67,360 difference is basically the price of an extra bedroom, a driveway for the car, and a bit more breathing room from the neighbours!
The real "wow" moment comes when we look back seven years. If you bought a semi-detached house in OL2 5 back in 2019, your home is now worth £29,684 more than you paid for it. However, if you bought a terraced house, you’ve seen a smaller gain of £17,523. It’s like two different runners in the same race; the semis have simply got more "oops" in their boots!
Why is this happening? It’s all down to the "big picture" money stuff. With inflation at 3.4%, things like food and heating cost more, so families are being very careful. Instead of stretching for those massive detached houses (like the ones on Kirkdale Drive or Windmill Close), people are hunting for "the middle ground." Semi-detached houses are the "Goldilocks" of OL2 5—not too big, not too small, but just right for most bank balances.
So, what does this mean for you?
If you own a semi-detached house in OL2 5, you are sitting on the strongest performer in the area. You’ve had nearly 14% growth in value over seven years, which is fantastic news! If you own a flat, it’s a bit more of a waiting game. With mortgage approvals sitting at 62,600 nationally, there are plenty of buyers out there, but they are being very picky about what they can afford.
For our first-time buyers looking around Royton or near Thornham Old Road, the terraced homes still offer the most "bang for your buck." They haven't grown in price quite as fast as the semis, which means there’s still a chance to grab a bargain before the next wave of growth.
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, I expect the "middle of the market" to stay very busy. While the very expensive houses might take a little longer to sell (we have about 7 months' worth of houses waiting for buyers currently), the homes that fit a normal family budget will be the ones everyone is fighting over.